Stockport vs Leyton Orient Prediction: Hatters to get themselves over the line

Stockport County welcome Leyton Orient to Edgeley Park on Wednesday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event) for the second leg of their League 1 play-off semi-final. The two teams are level after playing out an exciting 2-2 draw in London on Saturday.

There was little to separate them and it could be the same again when they collide in SK3. Read on for my Stockport vs Leyton Orient predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Stockport escaped the first leg without any injury concerns so everyone is available to Dave Challinor for this home leg, and he could consider naming the same XI after his side battled hard in the capital last time out.

Kyle Wootton and Isaac Olaofe were effective as a strike partnership and Jayden Fevrier was a nuisance down the right flank. Lewis Bate and Odin Bailey both had an impact from the bench and they might have played their way into Challinor's thoughts for Wednesday.

With a goal and an assist at Brisbane Road, Ollie Norwood delivered strong leadership from the middle of the park and his play-off experience is of great value to the Hatters.

Leyton Orient are still coping with injuries to Theo Archibald, Jordan Graham and Dan Happe. Tom James was fit enough to make the squad for the first leg and he even made an appearance in the second half.

So too did Jack Currie, who might have to settle for a starting position on the bench again in Stockport. Boss Richie Wellens may be tempted to stick with the same XI so that all the key attacking stars are out on the pitch

Golden Boot winner Charlie Kelman has played a huge role in this tie with two goals already, and he is likely to be aided by Dan Agyei and Azeem Abdulai in the final third.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley registered the most assists this season (10) in League 1 and he was deployed in a central midfield role on Saturday, but he still had a huge impact on the game.

Stockport vs Leyton Orient Odds

Stockport are 9/10 (which has an implied probability of 52.6%) to win this match in 90 minutes. The hosts have won each of their last five fixtures on home soil heading into this second leg.

The teams couldn't be separated in east London on Saturday and another draw is valued at 12/5 - and I wouldn't be against an extra 30 minutes of football from these two sides.

Leyton Orient have won their previous three away trips, while they also defeated the home team 4-1 here in their league meeting. They are 16/5 to prevail in regulation time.

The past three matches at Edgeley Park have produced goals at both ends and BTTS is marketed at 10/11.

Orient forward Kelman scored twice at the weekend and he is 23/10 to grab a third goal in this tie.

Stockport to win 3-2 @ 25/1

The first leg delivered plenty of entertainment. There were goals, one of which was a blatant offside, two penalties and more spot-kicks could have been awarded.

The pendulum of momentum kept swinging at Brisbane Road and both teams looked like they would go on to win it in parts. This sets up what should be a cracking decider in Stockport and I am going for goals again with a correct score prediction.

I think a 3-2 Hatters win offers great value as we have seen firsthand how both effective the two teams are in the final third, so I have no doubt that we will see goals at both ends on Wednesday.

Stockport are coming into their home leg level and this should play into their hands. They created some good chances at Brisbane Road and now that they will have the home crowd, I think they will have plenty more at Edgeley Park.

The O's will have their part to play, too, especially as they won 4-1 here back in September. Both sides came into the play-offs in good form and this was telling on Saturday.

They are both blessed with players who can deliver the goods in front of goal but given how strong the hosts have been in SK3 in recent months, notably the five wins in a row, I think they will be able to edge this clash.

It's also worth noting that the last game played here was a 3-2 win for the Hatters against Lincoln City.

Over 3.5 goals @ 5/2

Due to the reasons for my first selection, I think it's also worth going for goals in another market - and over 3.5 goals at 5/2 really jumps out at me.

This has been a winning selection in the last two matches at Edgeley Park, while there were five goals scored when Orient triumphed here back in September.

Over 3.5 goals has been a successful bet in two of Orient's past three away trips, while we were treated to four goals in Saturday's first leg. I think we will be treated to another goal-filled contest on Wednesday and I think this is a price that cannot be ignored.

Offers

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