Stockport County make the trip to Rotherham United on Sunday looking for the win that will keep the club in the League One playoff places.
At a time when the visitors occupy fifth position in the table, Rotherham are down in 18th spot and very much involved in a relegation scrap.
Match preview
![Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/steve-evans.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]")
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There may be some associated with Rotherham that view the 11-point gap to the playoffs as a situation that is retrievable in terms of securing an immediate return to the Championship.
However, in reality, Steve Evans's side are very much involved in a relegation battle, sitting just four points above the drop zone.
Although three victories from their last seven fixtures represents an improvement, the Millers have lost the other four, most recently at home to Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day.
Some of the frustration will come from only losing by narrow margins. Rotherham's last three defeats have all come by 1-0 scorelines.
Nevertheless, possessing the joint-third worst attacking record in the division with just 19 goals coming from 20 fixtures, Evans can have few complaints if criticism comes the way of his side.
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In sharp contrast, Stockport have scored 34 goals in their 22 matches, the joint-fifth best record in the final third in League One.
As many as 14 of those goals have been netted by Louie Barry, the Aston Villa loanee remaining at Edgeley Park for just two more games before returning to his parent club.
That comes at a time when County have already dropped off in front of goal, netting only five times in as many games and losing 1-0 at promotion rivals Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.
Dave Challinor's team have now posted three successive away defeats ahead of facing opponents that have prevailed in five of their 10 home games in this season's third tier.
Team News
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Evans is likely to make a number of changes to his Rotherham side with Cohen Bramall, Cameron Humphreys and Jordan Hugill among those who will feel in contention for recalls.
Few players who started the last contest will feel that their place in the starting lineup is secure, while defender Sean Raggert remains on the sidelines through injury.
Meanwhile, Barry should retain his place in the Stockport final third even with Challinor having to consider alternatives to his leading marksman.
Oliver Norwood, Jack Diamond and Kyle Wootton are all pushing for recalls in midfield and attack respectively.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odoffin, Humphreys, James; Kelly, Powell; Wilks, Green, Nombe; Hugill
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchcliffe; Connolly, Horsfall, Pye; Southam-Hales, Norwood, Collar, Rydel; Bailey, Barry; Wootton
We say: Rotherham United 1-3 Stockport County
Given Stockport's inconsistency over the past few weeks, it is anyone's guess as to which side turns up at the New York Stadium. However, given the extra firepower in their ranks, we are backing another important win in their promotion bid.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
