Stockport County were not far off promotion to the Championship last season, despite only recently being in the National League. They are targeting a top-two finish in 2025/26.
Bolton Wanderers will also hope to be involved in the battle at the top end of the third flight this term. Will either of these teams get their promotion bids off to a winning start on Sunday?
Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers best bets
- Stockport County to win – 9/10 with Spreadex
- Over 2.5 goals – 5/6 with Tote
- Malik Mothersille to score any time – 19/10 with Ladbrokes
Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers odds
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Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers predictions
Stockport County fans have not experienced many lows over the past few years.
They were in the National League North as recently as 2019, and promotion back to the EFL was only secured three years later.
Another successful season followed in 2023/24, as Stockport took the League Two title to take their place in League One.
They did not merely make up the numbers there either. Dave Challinor’s side finished third last time out, just missing out on automatic promotion behind Wrexham, before losing to Leyton Orient in the play-offs.
That was a rare disappointment for Stockport, but you will not catch their fans grumbling. Under the astute leadership of Challinor, the Hatters are ready to go again this season.
Promotion is the target, and with big-spending Wrexham and Birmingham City out of the way, you have to fancy their chances. The bookies certainly do: they are the fourth-favourites to go up, behind only their nicknamesakes Luton Town, plus Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.
Bolton Wanderers will hope to be there or thereabouts too. They were in the play-off positions at the beginning of April last season, but a dismal end to the campaign – Bolton drew two and lost four of their final six games – saw them drop down to eighth.
Steven Schumacher has now had a full pre-season to work with his squad, though, and the former Plymouth Argyle manager has one promotion to the Championship on his CV already.
The loss of Aaron Collins, Bolton’s top scorer last time out, to Milton Keynes Dons, is a blow, but the Trotters have brought in six players so far, including the exciting Xavier Simons from Hull City.
Schumacher believes he is onto something at Bolton having struggled to make an impression at Stoke City in his last job.
“For me, this is perfect,” he told the Inside The Game podcast earlier this month. “It’s a club that’s got a huge reputation, a huge fanbase, huge expectations, a good budget for the league, the location works perfect.
“I think if it [Bolton] gets into the Championship, it’s got the capability of what I was expecting at Stoke. It can eventually go and kick on, and push to get into the Premier League.”
Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers betting tips
Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers are ready to do battle on the opening weekend of the EFL season.
Stockport County to win
Stockport were 10 points off top spot in the National League when they appointed Challinor in 2021.
The ex-Hartlepool United head coach has since led them to two promotions, yet no other club has been able to prise him away yet.
That is slightly surprising, but Stockport fans are not complaining. Challinor is already one of their most popular managers of all time; if he takes them to the Championship this term, his standing among the supporters will only grow further.
Bolton are no pushovers, but Stockport deserve their status as favourites to win this opening-weekend clash.
Go for a Stockport win at 9/10 with Spreadex
Over 2.5 goals
If Bolton Wanderers are to earn promotion to the Championship this season, it is essential that they tighten up at the back.
The Trotters conceded 70 goals last time out – more than Northampton Town and Burton Albion, who only just avoided relegation.
A -3 goal difference said everything about Bolton’s shortcomings, and although they should be sturdier defensively this term, Stockport County have the attacking tools to cause them problems.
Neutrals will be pleased to learn that this has the makings of an open encounter. We expect three goals at a minimum.
Back over 2.5 goals at 5/6 with Tote
Malik Mothersille to score any time
Malik Mothersille could go down as one of the best signings any League One side has made this summer.
The talented forward, who spent three years on the books of Chelsea as a youngster, has joined Stockport County for a club-record fee of £800,000.
Mothersille impressed for Peterborough United in League One last term. He was previously linked with Championship clubs, so it is quite a coup for Stockport to have bought him.
Mothersille scored 12 league goals in 2024/25 and he should better that tally playing for a better team in 2025/26.
The attacker can open his account for Stockport by finding the back of the net on Sunday.
Select Malik Mothersille to score any time at 19/10 with Ladbrokes
How to watch Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers
- Location: Edgeley Park, Stockport, England.
- Date and time: Sunday 3rd August, 12pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Football.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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