From National League obscurity to the brink of Championship football: Can underdogs Stockport County upset Bolton in today's League One play-off final?

While much attention has focused on Wrexham’s recent rise through the divisions, another club has quietly kept pace – Stockport County. 

The Hatters endured 11 consecutive seasons in the National League or National League North and seemed destined for non-league obscurity for years to come – until local businessman and entrepreneur Mark Stott took ownership. 

His investment revitalised the Greater Manchester club, making them competitive once again.

After securing automatic promotion in 2022, Stockport County reached the League Two play-off final the following season, only to fall short against Carlisle. Since then, they have consistently made the play-offs, achieving promotion to League One along the way. 

Now, they stand on the brink of the Championship, just one victory away from England’s second tier, as they prepare to face Bolton Wanderers at Wembley today. 

Meanwhile, their opponents Bolton – who overcame Bradford City in their semi-final tie – bring far more experience at the higher levels of English football. 

The Wanderers have spent 17 of the past 25 seasons in either the Premier League or Championship, and many are wondering if a return is on the cards. 

The bookies think so, making Bolton slight favourites at 5/6 to earn promotion according to Sky Bet. Stockport, by contrast, are marginal underdogs at 10/11 as they aim to secure their place in the Championship next season.

It is worth noting that in their two meetings this season, Stockport have held the upper hand. They opened the campaign with a 2-0 victory at Edgeley Park before the sides played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at Bolton. 

Alongside the standard match odds, Sky Bet has released four Price Boosts for this tantalising clash. 

They include Ruben Rodrigues to commit 2+ fouls at 1/1, Louie Barry to score anytime at 3/1, both teams to register 2+ corners in each half at 4/1, and Mason Burstow to have 3+ shots on target at 6/1. 

Notably, these bets are backed by recent form, with Rodrigues committing three fouls in Bolton’s play-off semi-final second-leg win over Bradford, while Barry found the net in Stockport’s corresponding victory against Stevenage. 

• All odds are correct at the time of publication