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Salford vs Stockport predictions: Local rivals look set for tense first leg
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Jack Ogalbe
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Dave Challinor has options to select from in attack
Dave Challinor has options to select from in attack

- Just four points separated the teams in the final League Two table
- The pair's last meeting in March ended 1-1
- Recommended bet: Draw

Northampton Town's final day win at Tranmere Rovers meant Stockport's 1-1 at home to already-relegated Hartlepool did not matter and they will look to regroup against the Ammies, who survived a real scare on Monday.

A shock 1-0 loss at home to Gillingham almost cost them a place in the play-offs, as they sneaked in ahead of Mansfield due to their +1 superior goal difference.

The relief of that result could galvanise Neil Wood's side, although nerves are more than likely to play their part at the Peninsula Stadium.

Team news

Salford have been without both Richard Nartey and Ryan Watson since March and the pair will again be absent on Saturday.

Louie Barry is also available, having been able to feature against Gillingham after having his red card against Walsall rescinded on appeal.

The Hatters are expected to be without Will Collar for the third straight game, with Akil Wright likely to continue alongside Fraser Horsfall and Joe Lewis.

Striker Paddy Madden dropped to the bench against Hartlepool, but Dave Challinor may look to call on his experience for this one, having been promoted through the League One play-offs with Yeovil in 2013.

The stats

Salford have made it this far despite possessing only the 14th-best home record in League Two, winning just 10 of their 23 matches.

That run includes losing three of their last four home games heading into the play-offs, while they were also defeated 2-0 by Stockport on their own patch in October.

Stockport secured a decent 11 wins from 23 away games and are looking for a second straight promotion, having come up from the National League in 2021-22.

Kyle Wootton's 14 League Two goals have him as County's top scorer, two more than his Salford equivalent, Callum Hendry, who was on target in March's 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park.

Prediction

Just four points separated these two sides over the course of the 46-game season and with plenty at stake, it has the feel of a tight game.

With the most recent meeting in March finishing 1-1, that might well be a correct score option to look for.

These two seem hard to split and a share of the spoils could well be the case heading into next Saturday's return match 10 or so miles away at Edgeley Park.

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Tags

Salford CityStockport CountyLeague Two
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