English League Two
2008-05-17 - Stockport Cty vs Wycombe Wanderers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
1st Leg : Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Stockport County
Stockport County
Stockport finished in 4th spot in League 2 this season but their 24-10-12 record meant they ended with only 4 more points than 7th placed Wycombe. Only 4 teams in the division managed to score more goals than Stockport over the course of 46 games.
County ended 11-5-7 at home where they scored 40 goals but conceded 30. Only 3 other teams scored more goals at home this season, but Stockport were let down by their defence which was ranked in the lower half of the division for goals conceded in home games.
Stockport only lost 4 of their last 28 league games. However it must be stated that 2 of those happened during their last 4 games of the normal season.
Stockport have only lost 1 of their last 7 matches at home, winning 6 of those. Their defence has stiffened up in those games by ensuring 4 clean sheets from those 6 wins.
Dominic Blizzard is a doubt and Stephen Gleeson is on standby to replace him. Jim McNulty is likely to take the place of injured Michael Raynes. Rob Clare and Matty McNeil are both out but Liam Dickinson is fit to play.
Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe finished the season with a 22-12-12 record but their 56 goals scored were the lowest of those teams that finished in the top half of the table never mind the playoffs. However, only MK Dons and Hereford, both teams that were promoted, had a better defensive record.
Wanderers finished with a 9-6-8 away record where they scored 27 goals and conceded 27. The lack of goals meant they were ranked in the bottom half of the table for goals scored away from home but in the top 6 for goals conceded away from home.
Wycombe also ended the season on decent form with only 1 defeat from their last 8 league games and they did win 3 of their last 4 at the end of season.
They showed what kind of game they play away from home as being defensive minded based on a solid defence with the hope of nicking a winner. Wycombe went 2-1-3 over their last 6 away games, scoring 4 and conceding 5 goals. The 2 victories and 3 defeats were all by the same 1-0 scoreline.
Wycombe have no new injury worries and will start with the same team that played the 1-1 draw last week.
Head to Head
This game is the 4th meeting between the sides this season. Both games at Wycombe ended in draws, but Stockport may be buoyed by the fact they beat Wycombe 6-0 at home on the 8th December this season.
Stockport equalised late in the 1st leg in what seemed the correct result on the balance of play.
Wycombe could be forgiven for feeling aprehensive coming into Stockport tomorrow afternoon as they have lost their last 3 visits to Edgeley Park over the last 2 seasons. One of those defeats was in the FA Cup.
Prediction
Without the advantage of the away goals in the playoffs as opposed to the Champions League and UEFA Cup ties, Stockport know they have to win the game to progress and this will suit them at home.
Wycombe will look to recent results and hope to nick a goal while keeping it tight at the back and this could be their undoing against a solid attacking side in Stockport.
The 6-0 defeat Wycombe suffered here earlier in the season could affect matters if Stockport score early and the fact Stockport have beaten Wycombe here on each of their last 3 visits gives them the edge in my opinion.
Stockport and Wycombe are both on form but ill hand the advantage to the home side.
The Pick :
Stockport County 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers
