Stockport vs Bolton Predictions

• Stockport have avoided defeat in three of their last four FA Cup ties against Football League opposition (Won, 2, Drawn 1).
• Bolton have failed to win six of their last seven FA Cup ties (Lost 5, Drawn 1).
• Stockport have drawn both games they have played under new manager Dave Challinor.

TV spotlight can bring the best out in Stockport

Stockport County will enjoy another night under the national spotlight when they host League One Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup first-round replay on Wednesday night.

The TV cameras will be in place at Edgeley Park, like they were for the Hatters’ third round clash with West Ham last year, and there will no doubt be quite a buzz around a club that has been outside the 92 for far too long.

Stockport, in new manager Dave Challinor’s first game in charge, earned this replay with a 2-2 draw at the University of Bolton Stadium in front of more than five thousand away fans.

All the goals came in the first half as Scott Quigley’s early strike and Ben Whitfield’s smart finish bookended goals from Bolton’s Eoin Doyle and Elias Kachunga. Bolton subsequently halted a five-game run without a league win by beating strugglers Crewe while County conceded a late equaliser at home to Bromley in their next fixture.

Hatters heading in right direction under Challinor

Bolton’s form does appear to be picking up, but this will be a tough test to negotiate against a side that have lost only one home game since early September.

Challinor made Victoria Park a major stronghold during his spell in charge of Hartlepool and it would be no surprise to see him do the same at Stockport with a high-pressure style of play. That – together with the fact that Bolton have failed to score in their last three away league games – make the price on Stockport to avoid defeat in the double chance market even more attactive.

The draw looks a big runner again in this replay, and we are siding with a 1-1 prediction after 90 minutes because of how evenly-matched the original tie was, but Stockport may be able to pull off a shock if the Trotters don’t fire up front.