Stockport County host struggling Burton Albion in League One this weekend as the Hatters edge closer to securing a playoff berth this season.
The hosts are currently fifth in the table, with a five-point cushion on Bolton Wanderers in seventh, as the league season nears its conclusion.
Match preview
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Stockport suffered only their third league defeat of 2025 last weekend when Wrexham beat them 1-0, courtesy of a Jay Rodriguez goal.
Aside from their recent defeat in Wales, their form has been impressive of late, and they have won eight of their last 13 matches in League One.
Having come up from League Two last season, the Hatters are firmly in contention for another promotion this season, so they are performing well above expectations in League One.
Their strong defence has been a major reason behind their success, with County currently owning the third-best defensive record in League One.
Stockport have been impressive both home and away this season, and they will be looking for their 12th home triumph of the campaign this weekend.
The Hatters have won four of their last five home matches in the league, and they will fancy their chances this weekend against a Burton side that are currently six points adrift of safety in the standings.
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Albion will need to pick up results fast if they are to avoid relegation to League Two, and three wins in their last six matches suggests that there is a glimmer of hope for Gary Bowyer's side.
Included in that run was their last outing, a crucial 2-0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town, when goals from Rumarn Burrell and Terence Vancooten secured the points for the visitors.
Burton have performed significantly better on their travels than on their home patch this season, with 22 of their 36 points coming from away matches.
Three wins in their last four games away from home will give the visitors some hope of gaining a positive result this weekend, but the most recent meeting between the sides ended in a comfortable win for County.
The two teams last met back in November, when a brace from Louie Barry helped Stockport on their way to a 3-0 away win at the Pirelli Stadium.
Team News
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Stockport will be without Norwich City loanee Brad Hills, who was sent off in the defeat to Wrexham last time out.
Elsewhere, Fraser Horsfall was fit enough to make the bench last weekend following a lengthy absence, while Ryan Rydel is a doubt for the hosts after missing the match last weekend.
In further blows for the hosts, Ben Hinchliffe, Nick Powell and Macauley Southam-Hales are not expected to feature in this game.
Meanwhile, the visitors could be boosted by the return of Jason Sraha following his recovery from a recent spell on the sidelines.
However, Burton are expected to be missing Nick Akoto, Geraldo Bajrami, James Jones and Ciaran Gilligan due to injuries.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Touray, Pye, Connolly, Knoyle; Diamond, Bate, Camps, Fevrier; Olaofe, Wootton
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Dodgson, Armer, Sweeney, Vancooten, Godwin-Malife; McKiernan, Webster, Lofthouse; Bodvarsson, Burrell
We say: Stockport County 2-0 Burton Albion
Although Burton have improved in recent weeks, it is difficult to pick against Stockport here.
County should have more than enough firepower to see off the visitors in this match, and it should be a relatively comfortable afternoon for the hosts as they continue their push for promotion to the Championship.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
