Stockport vs Maidenhead United Predictions

Stockport enjoyed a strong campaign last season, which culminated in them lifting the National League North title, thus earning themselves a place in the highest of all the Non-League divisions. In contrast, Maidenhead’s achievement last term was remaining at this level. Having finished 19^th las time around, the Magpies will be looking to do better.

Last term, Stockport, managed by Jim Gannon, were the top dogs in National League North; they were tough to beat, offered plenty going forward and generally knew how to get the job done. However, repeating those antics at this level will be tough.

A major part of their success last season was solidity at home. County only lost three times on their own patch last season, while they won 13 out of 21. What’s more, they were productive at both ends of the pitch, notching 39 and conceding just 18. Such numbers will leave Gannon’s men feeling confident ahead of match against a Maidenhead side that struggled to get going away from home.

During the previous campaign, Maidenhead weren’t exactly good at home, but it was on the road where they struggled most. Away from the comforts of York Road, Saturday’s visitors claimed just 23 points in 23 matches. Of those 23, they lost 14 and won just seven. Scoring goals was an issue, as they notched less than one a game, scoring only 18, while they found it tough to keep teams out too. Maidenhead shipped a worrying total of 36 goals away from home in the National League last season.

In order to improve, Maidenhead have brought in keeper Chris Dunn, who has plenty of Football League experience to drawn upon, from Walsall, while Freddie Grant and Aron Davies have come in to bolster the defence.

Stockport haven’t been busy in the transfer market during the off-season, as they’ve made just one acquisition, signing Ben Jackson on loan from Huddersfield. What’s more, they’ve lost striker Matt Warburton, who scored 18 goals last season, while useful left-back Scott Duxbury has also left for pastures new .

In the betting, this isn’t exactly a fixture to get excited about. That said, it’s not too difficult to feel that the visitors are a tad overpriced. For all their struggles on the road last season, they’re more accustomed to playing at this level than Stockport, who’ve lost two key players over the summer and who’ve failed to bring in any new blood. The visitors have also done well against some good sides in pre-season, drawing with League One Wycombe and beating League Two Stevenage. Furthermore, Maidenhead appear to have strengthened slightly, so they probably deserve a bit more respect and thus a small play on ‘Maidenhead Draw No Bet’ is warranted at the prices.