Stockport County v Salford City

After over a decade out of the EFL, there is no doubt that Edgeley Park will be bouncing on Saturday afternoon as Stockport host the second leg of their League Two Play-Off Semi-Final against Salford.

For both sides, changes of ownership has catapulted them out of the doldrums and now, after years of building, has them dreaming of a place in League One next season. That would make it back-to-back promotions for the Hatters, and would mean Salford can finally escape League Two; which has proved to be somewhat sticky for a side previously used to breezing up through the pyramid in non-league football.

After three seasons of narrowly missing out on the play-offs, the Ammies squeaked in this time and took advantage of Stockport's injury issues last weekend, securing a 1-0 lead to defend in this second leg. With both sides absolutely desperate to make this opportunity count, we should be on for a fantastic start to Saturday.

The Stockport County v Salford City bet builder tips for this match make for a tasty 5/2 choice.

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The lack of goalscorers told

An incredibly high standard has allowed Stockport County to recover from a slow start and keep their hopes of consecutive promotions alive. However, last Saturday at the Peninsula Stadium, the Hatters fell way below those standards in their 1-0 defeat to Salford City. 

Stockport weren’t helped by key absences. Having already lost top scorer Kyle Wootton to injury for the remainder of the campaign, they in turn had to enter this game without either striker Paddy Madden or midfielder Will Collar in the matchday squad.

The pair both sit on 10 league goals this season, the only other players in the Hatter squad to record double figures this season and some way ahead of the next-highest scorers who sit on 4. Challinor was forced into a change of shape from 3-5-2 to 5-4-1, with Isaac Olaofe only good enough for the bench, leaving the still largely-experienced Jack Stretton as the man leading the line on his own. Stretton carries plenty of potential at just 21, but the former Derby County man is not yet at the level of his forward team mates. 

Without the goals of Madden and Wootton, nor the frightening box-to-box presence of Will Collar, Stockport were bullied by Salford in Greater Manchester. They simply have to improve at Edgeley Park, even if they remain without those top scorers.

Stockport County team news

County fans will be sweating on the news of whether Will Collar and Paddy Madden will be available to play some part in this second leg at Edgeley Park. The pair are a key parts of the normal starting XI respectively and two of only three players to hit double figures for Stockport this season. The other is striker Kyle Wootton who is guaranteed to be out. The squad was so thin that Dave Challinor chose to recall Ethan Pye from a loan at National League Gateshead.

Stockport should remain unchanged in defence, with experienced goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe sat behind the trio of Neill Byrne, Fraser Horsfall and Akil Wright. Challinor may switch from 5-4-1 to his more successful 3-5-2, and that would bring Chris Hussey and Kyle Knoyle further up the flanks to more front-footed wing-back roles. Ryan Rydel may possibly be preferred to the more experienced Hussey on the left. If Collar isn’t available, expect Myles Hippolyte, Ryan Croasdale and Callum Camps to form the midfield three, with Lemonheigh-Evans a possible alternative.

The switch to a 3-5-2 would allow Isaac Olaofe to come back into the starting eleven as a partner to Jack Stretton up top, especially useful if Madden remains unavailable. Lemonheigh-Evans may possibly be deployed alongside or just behind Stretton if Olaofe isn’t fit enough to start.

Two games from history

The first leg at the Peninsula Stadium was not a particularly great game, but it is one Salford City can certainly be satisfied with. Matt Smith’s 17^th minute goal after a serious tussle with Fraser Horsfall is the difference between the two sides. Hold that lead, and the Ammies are off to Wembley and then a single game away from playing League One football for the first time ever.

Team news from the Stockport campaign suggested an opportunity for Salford City, playing against a Hatters team without its three main goalscorers. They duly took advantage, being much the better side in a performance where they at times bullied the Stockport team with their physical, direct football.

Striker Matt Smith and attacking midfielder Callum Hendry enjoyed aerial success, as did the centre back pair of Theo Vassell and Adrian Mariappa. If not for a good Ben Hinchliffe save to deny Conor McAleny, they could have taken an even better lead to Edgeley Park…

Salford City team news

Salford City may well remain unchanged from their first leg victory in Greater Manchester.

Alex Cairns will stay in goal. The 4-2-3-1 in front of him should include the starting back four of Ibou Touray, Adrian Mariappa, Theo Vassell and Liam Shephard from left to right. Leading assister Elliot Watt should partner Stevie Mallan at the base of midfield.

The immense pace of Luke Bolton should remain on the right. In-form forward Callum Hendry should start behind the towering Matt Smith. The only possible change could be on the left with Conor McAleny swapped for Louie Barry.

Stockport County v Salford City Cheat Sheet

With a chance to play at Wembley on the line, we can expect an intense game. Both sides have plenty of players willing to get stuck in and fouls seem like a great place to start for any Stockport County v Salford City bet builder.

Conor McAleny, Matt Smith and Callum Hendry all draw well over one foul per game on average, and with a deficit to claw back, it is easy to imagine County's defenders will be overzealous in attempting to win the ball back, making any of the three central defenders great options for a foul pick.

McAleny, Smith and Hendry all average 3 shots per 90, so shot markets should be examined closely also for Salford, there are great options for Stockport too, who should be on the front foot, but be careful, the injury concerns mean that the data for some Hatters players, such as Jack Stretton is based on less than 10 games' worth of football this season.

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Stockport County v Salford City bet builder tips

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