Prediction: Stockport vs Charlton

Prediction: Stockport win

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

While the focus may be on the World Cup right now, the return of domestic football is on the horizon – and in some instances, it’s already here. Stockport County and Charlton Athletic fans may be watching the festivities unfold in Qatar but back home, there’s some FA Cup business to attend to as they prepare to square off in a second round replay later this week.

Stockport

Stockport County have bounced up and down through the leagues and now, they finally appear to be settled as a team fighting around midtable in League Two. This is a team close to a lot of other big sides in English football and, as a result, many have adopted them as their second team. They have a fun, exciting young squad and if they can win this, a solid cup run isn’t out of the question.

Team News

Camps and Lewis are expected to keep their place in the starting XI with Crankshaw also tipped to feature after coming off the bench in London.

Charlton

Charlton Athletic are a far cry from their Premier League days and that much is obvious. At the very least, though, their fanbase would’ve been hoping for a bit of a surge in terms of a promotion push in the third tier. Alas, that has yet to happen, and you have to wonder just how much of this decline is down to what’s happening behind the scenes as well as their performances on the pitch.

Team News

Lavelle, Maynard-Brewer and Aneke are expected to come into he starting line-up whereas Sessegnon should also feature heavily.

Factors to Consider

• In their initial meeting two weeks ago, Stockport and Charlton drew 2-2.
• Stockport have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Charlton have drawn three and lost three of their last six games.
• Stockport have scored 14 goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Charlton have scored eight goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.

Conclusion

Given the entertaining nature of the first game, as well as the fact this will be in front of a lively Stockport crowd, we’d say we’re feeling pretty good about this one being another FA Cup cracker. The winner will take on Walsall in the all-important third round and through sheer confidence and firing power up top, we think Stockport will be the ones to edge out a 2-1 win and book a date with the Midlands side.

Prediction: Stockport win

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: 888sport