Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County renew their rivalry in the League One playoff final, with kick-off set for Sunday at 1pm (UK time).
It’s a meeting that pits Bolton’s ball-retention style against Stockport’s clinical edge and both sides will be desperate to find the win to lift them into the Championship next season. The last encounter saw the teams share four goals – emphasising just how little separates them recently.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on recent form, head-to-head trends and season-long stats, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in both teams finding the net, given their attacking records and defensive vulnerabilities.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score: Yes | 8/13 @ Bet365 (61.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both sides have scored 70+ goals this season, and each has conceded 50+. 5 of their last 6 meetings have seen both teams net, including a 2-2 draw in April. Stats point to another open contest. |
| Draw after 90 minutes | 9/4 @ Bet365 (30.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | These teams have drawn 3 of their last 6 meetings, with the most recent finishing 2-2. Both tend to drop and recover points from winning positions, so a stalemate is a real possibility at this price. |
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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Season Form & Standings
Both teams enjoyed good seasons on the way to securing their playoff places, with Stockport County finishing in 3rd place on 77 points and Bolton Wanderers just behind in 5th with 75. Both sides have strong attacks but remain defensively vulnerable, conceding over 50 goals each.
In the semi-final Bolton came out on top against Bradford City, eventually running out 2-0 winners on aggregate. Stockport County enjoyed a wider margin for their win, overcoming Stevenage 3-0 to reach the final.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockport County | 3 | 46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 71 | 58 | +13 | 77 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 5 | 46 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 70 | 52 | +18 | 75 |
Potential Match-Winners
Kyle Wootton (Stockport County) – With 20 league goals, including a remarkable 9 headers, Wootton is an aerial threat from set-pieces and open play alike. He’s converted 15 big chances and missed 15—so he’s always in the thick of the action.
Mason Burstow (Bolton Wanderers) – Leading the line for Bolton, Burstow’s movement and finishing will test Stockport’s back line, which has struggled at times this season.
Rúben Rodrigues (Bolton Wanderers) – A creative force, Rodrigues has helped Bolton to 49 assists this season, matching Stockport’s tally and providing a steady stream of chances for the front line.
Head-to-Head: Last 6 Meetings
Stockport County have dominated the recent head-to-head, winning 3 of the last 6 encounters, with the other 3 ending level. Bolton have not managed a win in this run, and Stockport have outscored them 15 to 7, including a 5-0 rout in November 2024. However, the last meeting was a 2-2 draw, suggesting the gap may be narrowing.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 06/04/26 | Bolton 2-2 Stockport | League One |
| 03/08/25 | Stockport 2-0 Bolton | League One |
| 15/03/25 | Bolton 0-1 Stockport | League One |
| 09/11/24 | Stockport 5-0 Bolton | League One |
| 17/11/21 | Stockport 3-3 Bolton (aet) | FA Cup |
| 07/11/21 | Bolton 2-2 Stockport | FA Cup |
Conclusion
Will Bolton’s superior possession and passing finally help them break Stockport’s recent hold, or will Stockport’s efficiency and set-piece power keep them on top? With both teams so evenly matched and goals all but guaranteed, our strongest angle is Both Teams to Score at 8/13 with Bet365 (61.9%). This looks the value play, but the draw after 90 minutes at 9/4 also has appeal for those seeking a bigger return.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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