The leaders arrive at Meadow Lane with Notts County’s injury list growing
Stockport go into Saturday top of League One after four straight league wins, the latest a 2-0 at Doncaster on Tuesday. Jim McNulty’s side have conceded only once in those four games. Notts County ended a run of four league defeats with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on the same night, but they did it against ten men and lost Scott Robertson to injury in the process. He joins Olie Cooper, their top scorer and best-rated player, on a long absentee list.
„The way we played tonight was exactly the way I want us to look.“ – Notts County manager Martin Paterson after the win over Sheffield Wednesday (via the Hucknall Dispatch)
Predicted lineups: Notts County vs Stockport
The absence that matters for Notts County is Olie Cooper, who had started eight league games and leads the team in goals. Robertson, Matty Platt, Lewis Macari, Dean Campbell and Emile Acquah are also out, but between them they have made only a handful of league starts. Stockport have no new injuries and could name an unchanged side, with Wootton leading the line between Jack Diamond and Harry Wood. Both clubs played on Tuesday, so neither has a rest advantage. The line-ups follow Sports Mole’s predicted XIs.
Notts County Team News & Preview
Tuesday’s win was a welcome change. Kanu scored from the penalty spot and substitute Lipsiuc added a late second, after Sheffield Wednesday’s Jamal Lowe had been sent off five minutes into the second half. Before that, Notts had lost to Bradford, Reading, Oxford and Wycombe without much complaint.
Meadow Lane has produced mixed results: wins over Burton and Sheffield Wednesday, a draw with Leicester and defeats to Bradford and Oxford. Notts average just one goal and 3.1 shots on target per game, and losing Cooper, who leads the team in both goals and FotMob rating, makes an already blunt attack even weaker.
What works for or against Notts County
- Beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 on Tuesday.
- Lost the four league games before that.
- Top scorer Cooper is out.
- Only 3.1 shots on target per game.
Stockport Team News & Preview
Stockport needed patience at Doncaster. The hosts held firm until half-time, then Jobe scored from a set piece eight minutes after the break and Wootton added the second shortly afterwards. Doncaster’s Grant McCann felt Jobe should have been sent off for a stamp in the first half, but Stockport were the better side.
Away from home McNulty’s team have won at Plymouth, Wigan and Doncaster, drawn at Sheffield Wednesday and lost only at Luton. They dominate the ball, averaging 61% possession, and only Huddersfield have produced more than their 23 expected goals from 11 games. Wootton is their main threat with nine goals, and Oliver Norwood runs the midfield.
What works for or against Stockport
- Four league wins in a row, conceding once.
- Three away wins from five league trips.
- Wootton has nine goals this season.
- Lost at Luton and drew at Sheffield Wednesday on the road.
Notts County vs Stockport Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Handicap
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Half-Time/Full-Time
Notts County vs. Stockport Stats Comparison
Show Recent Results
Notts County vs. Stockport Form Guide
Notts County Form, Stats & Data
Notts County’s defensive numbers are respectable, conceding just over one expected goal per game. The problem is at the other end, where one goal a game and only three shots on target leave very little margin for error.
Stockport Form, Stats & Data
Stockport create more than two expected goals per game and score at exactly that rate. Combined with 61% possession and just over one expected goal against, these are the numbers of a genuine promotion side.
Notts County vs Stockport: Prediction & Betting Tip
I am backing the leaders. Stockport are in excellent form, they control games with the ball and they create more than two expected goals per game. Notts County are missing their top scorer and several more players, and their last win came against ten men after four straight defeats.
The strongest argument against is that Notts defend reasonably well, with their expected goals against close to Stockport’s own, and they will be lifted by Tuesday’s performance. Stockport also dropped points at Luton and Sheffield Wednesday, so they are not invincible on the road. But the gap in quality and the absence of Cooper are enough for me.
My bet is Stockport County to win at 1.51 with Winz. I expect a 2-0.