Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers Betting Tips: 03.08.2025 - Predictions & Match Preview

Stockport County vs Bolton

Stockport County will open their League One campaign by welcoming Bolton Wanderers to Edgeley Park on Sunday afternoon. The hosts are being spoken about by plenty of pundits to challenge for the title this season, although Bolton have their own ambitions to return to the Championship come May 2026.

Recent form analysis

A big season ahead for Stockport

This will be the first time Stockport return to competitive action after their play-off heartache, but Dave Chanillor’s job is to now put that to the back of his player’s minds and focus on promotion this time round.

Pre-season has been a mix for Stockport when it comes to their results, beating Bristol Rovers 3-2 before drawing 1-1 with Salford and then signing off with a narrow defeat against Hull. Still, results are second to fitness and the depth of the squad ahead of a new campaign.

Although forward Isaac Olaofe has departed to join Charlton, several new faces have come in to strengthen their defence and midfield. Cracovia’s Arttu Hoskonen is one that catches the eye.

Bolton hoping to bounce back

Having finished 8th last campaign and 10 points outside of the play-offs, Bolton’s aim will be to get much closer to the top six. Pre-season couldn’t have gone any better, winning all five of their matches as well as keeping four clean sheets along the way.

A major blow was losing George Thomason to Wrexham for around £1.2m, but several new faces have come in to give Bolton a boost in forward areas. Striker Thierry Gale has signed from SK Rapid, while Ethan Erhahon has joined from Lincoln after a successful season for the Imps.

Whether they have enough to compete for the title is perhaps a step too far, but they are certainly capable of getting much closer to the play-offs this time round.

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Recent H2H

Last season Stockport did the double over Bolton without conceding - including a 5-0 hammering at home. However, it’s worth noting that three of the five goalscorers on that day have since moved on, while the match winner at the Reebok Stadium, Isaac Olaofe, is now with Charlton.

If the hosts are to come out on top, they’ll need to find some magic from their new signings.

Our Stockport vs Bolton betting tip

While Bolton’s preparation in the off-season has been nothing short of excellent, Stockport were excellent at home last campaign - and they’ll be difficult to beat in front of a sell-out crowd this Sunday. Stockport to win 2-1 is 7/1 with BetMGM.

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Title contenders to bag the win

It has been a period of change for both sides but the bookmakers firmly believe that Stockport have the quality to go a step further this season - an opening day win against a fellow play-off rival could be the ideal start for Chanillor’s men.

Last season they finished 3rd with 87 points - outsourcing the Welsh outfit - and finished 19 points ahead of their opening day opponents. Changes within the squad have taken place, but not enough to reverse the two results that took place last term.

Bolton’s pre-season form has been very strong - but losing George Thomason will have hurt them having proven to be an invaluable player in the middle of the park. He hasn’t been replaced - and that could cost them at Edgeley Park.

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Stockport’s home form last season was only bettered by both Birmingham and Wrexham - picking up an incredible 52 points from 23 matches. Bolton’s form on their travels was mediocre - conceding 38 goals - only eight clubs conceded more.

The home crowd will be right behind their team and with lofty ambitions, they have the chance to start strongly - and they should have enough quality to secure the three points in round one.