Both Stockport and Bolton narrowly missed out on promotion up to the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and will be hoping to make that extra push as they kick off another season in League One.
Stockport welcome Bolton to Edgeley Park on Sunday afternoon having lost out in the play-off semi-final to Leyton Orient, after finishing in third place in the league. Bolton finished just five places below them in eighth, but were ultimately 10 points and two spots outside of the play-off positions.
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Stockport vs Bolton prediction: Hosts to kick off with victory?
Key stats
- Stockport beat Bolton in both H2Hs last season, including a 5-0 thrashing at Edgeley Park.
- Stockport won five league games in a row on home soil before the play-offs.
- Bolton won all five of their pre-season friendlies prior to this match.
Correct score prediction: Stockport 2-1 Bolton
Given their brilliant home form towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and the fact that they beat Bolton in both league matches, we are backing Stockport to kick off the new season with all three points here. It will not be entirely straightforward for the hosts though, as the visitors have enjoyed a very successful pre-season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Stockport strong favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.3%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Stockport are strong favourites to take home all three points on home soil. Interestingly, both a draw and a Bolton win away from home have very similar probabilities, with less than 2% in it in favour of the stalemate.
In the meantime, do not forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you have dissected our Stockport vs Bolton predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Stockport aiming for third successive win
As mentioned before, Stockport did win both of the league fixtures last season, and so will be hoping for a third straight H2H victory on home turf. Bolton were unbeaten in five meetings in all competitions prior to them though, although four did end up in draws.
England League 1 15/03/25
Bolton
Stockport
England League 1 09/11/24
Stockport
Bolton
England EFL Trophy 14/11/23
Stockport
Bolton
England FA Cup 17/11/21
Stockport
Bolton
England FA Cup 07/11/21
Bolton
Stockport
Stockport preview: Exciting new signings set for debuts
Stockport should hand a full debut to record signing Malik Mothersille, after the striker impressed at fellow League One side Peterborough in the 2024/25 campaign. Defender Arttu Hoskonen could also be set to make his debut in the starting XI.
Predicted lineup: Addai (GK); O'Keefe, Pye, Hoskonen, Dodgson; Norwood, Bate; Diamond, Camps, Fevrier & Mothersille
England League 1 10/05/25
D
Leyton Orient
2
Stockport
2
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Wycombe
1
Stockport
3
England League 1 26/04/25
W
Lincoln City
2
Stockport
3
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Huddersfield
1
Stockport
2
England League 1 18/04/25
D
Peterborough
1
Stockport
1
Bolton preview: A much-changed XI expected
Bolton have had a high turnover of players in the summer transfer window so far, with the likes of Ricardo Santos and Gethin Jones leaving. Xavier Simons and Teddy Sharman-Lowe are among the new recruits hoping to make their debuts for the visitors.
Predicted lineup: Sharman-Lowe (GK); Dacres-Cogley, Toal, Johnston, Conway; Simons, Sheehan; Cozier-Duberry, McAtee, Gale & Burstow
England League 1 03/05/25
D
Stevenage
1
Bolton
1
England League 1 26/04/25
D
Peterborough
1
Bolton
1
England League 1 21/04/25
L
Lincoln City
4
Bolton
2
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Wycombe
2
Bolton
0
England League 1 12/04/25
L
Barnsley
4
Bolton
1
Player to watch: Malik Mothersille
Stockport fans will be excited to take a look at their new club-record signing Malik Mothersille in action when they take on Bolton at home on League One's opening weekend. The Jamaican striker scored a total of 16 goals in all competitions for Peterborough in the 2024/25 campaign, and will be hoping to get off the mark for his new club straight away.