Preview: Stockport County vs Bromley — League One, Regular Season – 11

Match preview · Compiled from live api-football data feed at the time of compilation

League One · Regular Season – 11
Saturday 17 October, kickoff 15:00 · Edgeley Park

Bromley face a stern test of their League One credentials on Saturday when they make the long trip north to face Stockport County at Edgeley Park, with a 3pm kick-off. Andy Woodman’s side arrive sitting 21st in the table with just eight points so far, and a positive result against a side pushing for promotion would do much to ease the pressure beginning to build around Hayes Lane.

The form guide

Bromley head into this fixture in difficult shape. Their last five League One outings have produced just one win and one draw, with three defeats, and a form rating of just 27% tells its own story. The Ravens’ attacking output has been particularly concerning, with an attack rating of 26% suggesting goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks. Defensively, too, there are vulnerabilities, with a defensive rating of 37% indicating that Woodman’s backline has been exposed on a regular basis. A 4-1-4-1 shape was deployed most recently, and Bromley will need far greater cohesion across the pitch if they are to trouble their hosts.

Stockport County, by contrast, are in fine fettle. Dave Challinor’s men have won three of their last five, drawing one and losing one, translating to a healthy form rating of 67%. Their defensive record stands out in particular, with a defensive rating of 74% underlining why they currently occupy third place in the division. Operating from a 3-4-3 system, County have the tools to hurt most sides at this level.

The head-to-head record

Date	Competition	Home	Score	Away
29 Oct 2019	National League	Bromley	2-2	Stockport County
15 Feb 2020	National League	Stockport County	1-0	Bromley
5 Dec 2020	National League	Bromley	0-2	Stockport County
5 Apr 2021	National League	Stockport County	0-0	Bromley
13 Nov 2021	National League	Stockport County	1-1	Bromley

The two clubs have met on five occasions in recent seasons, and the record makes for interesting reading. Stockport have generally had the better of things, though Bromley have shown they are capable of taking something from these encounters. The first of the five, at Hayes Lane in October 2019, ended 2-2. County then won 1-0 at Edgeley Park in February 2020 and 2-0 at Hayes Lane in December 2020, and the two most recent meetings — in April and November 2021 — both ended level, with a goalless draw followed by a 1-1 stalemate. The head-to-head data firmly favours Stockport, but those shared spoils in 2021 suggest Bromley are capable of frustrating their opponents when the conditions are right.

The men in the dugout

Dave Challinor has built Stockport into a genuine force at this level, and the County manager will be looking to maintain the momentum that has his side firmly in the promotion conversation. His tactical flexibility and ability to organise a compact, hard-working unit have been hallmarks of his tenure. For Andy Woodman, Saturday represents a significant challenge. The Bromley manager will be acutely aware that his side need to start converting performances into points, and a trip to one of the division’s form sides is as tough a test as the fixture list can throw at him right now.

Players to watch

Stockport’s Kyle Wootton has been in devastating form this season, contributing seven goals and one assist in League One — a remarkable return that makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the division. Alongside him, J. Diamond has chipped in with four goals and two assists, giving County a potent and varied attacking threat that Bromley’s defence will need to be wary of from the first whistle. For the Ravens, Victor Adeboyejo carries the greatest threat, having found the net four times in the league this season. The striker will need to be at his very best if Bromley are to cause an upset, and service to him will be crucial.

The prediction

The data paints a challenging picture for Bromley. Stockport hold significant advantages across form, attack, defence, and the head-to-head comparison, and the home side are rated as strong favourites. The prediction engine returns a win probability of 50% for Stockport, with the remaining probability split entirely on a draw — suggesting an away win is considered highly unlikely. With Wootton in such prolific form and County’s defensive solidity well established, it is difficult to make a case for the Ravens. A Stockport victory with goals at both ends looks the most likely outcome, though Bromley’s resilience in recent head-to-head meetings means Woodman’s side may yet make a game of it. Expect County to edge a competitive but ultimately one-sided affair.

League standings

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Plymouth	10	6	1	3	+6	19
2	Bradford	9	5	2	2	+3	17
3	Stockport County	9	5	1	3	+9	16
4	Huddersfield	9	4	4	1	+7	16
5	Cambridge United	9	4	4	1	+3	16

Preview data via api-football. Form, head-to-head, standings, manager and prediction figures sourced live at the time of compilation; squad and team-news availability subject to last-minute change.

Expected lineups

Based on each side’s most recent starting XI. Manager may rotate; confirmed lineups follow ~1 hour before kickoff.