Stevenage vs Stockport Prediction: Boro to torment the Hatters for the third time this season

The League 1 play-offs get underway on Saturday as Stevenage welcome Stockport County to the Lamex Stadium (15:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event) for the first leg of their semi-final tie. The hosts lost just two of their 23 home games in the regular campaign and so they will look to make the most of this encounter.

Read on for my Stevenage vs Stockport County predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Stevenage boss Alex Revell is likely going to continue with Carl Piergianni and Charlie Goode in the heart of defence.

After scoring the goal that sent the Boro into the play-offs, Dan Sweeney will be pushing to start on Saturday.

Football Odds

Stockport are missing defender Brad Hills owing to a cruciate ligament injury.

Tanto Olaofe and Malik Mothersille could be considered by Dave Challinor to start in the final third.

Stevenage vs Stockport County Odds

Stevenage have won both meetings this season and they are 6/4 to win this first leg.

Stockport are a 9/5 bet to claim victory and they have won two of their past three away trips in League 1.

The Hatters have drawn three of their previous five away matches and the draw here is marketed at 11/5.

Seven of the visitors' last nine league games have gone Over 2.5 Goals, which is valued at 6/5 on this occasion.

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Result - Stevenage @ 6/4

Having lost just twice at home in the regular campaign, Stevenage should be confident in their ability to come out of this home leg with a positive result. If that's not enough to give the Boro belief then perhaps the two wins over Stockport in the season will.

Revell's men have bested the Hatters twice and I think they can make it a hat-trick on Saturday, especially with the match being played on their own turf. Of course the age-old saying is that what happened in the season goes out the window for the play-offs, but this can certainly play a part in Stevenage.

The hosts hold the psychological advantage over their opponents and they have won 14 of their 23 outings here in the third tier. I'm backing them to win this opener at 6/4, which has an implied probability of 40%.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 10/11

Both League 1 meetings this term have seen both teams find the net and I believe this trend will continue in the play-offs. This has also been a winning selection in each of Stockport's last three outings in League 1, as well as six of their past seven road trips in the third tier.

There have been goals at both ends in three of Stevenage's five most recent fixtures in the league, including a 2-2 draw here against League 1 winners Lincoln City on April 18.

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