Back in the third tier for the first time in over a decade, Stockport County will be hoping to commence their 2024-25 League One schedule with a win against Cambridge United at Edgeley Park on Saturday evening.
The Hatters were the standout performers in League Two last term and will be looking to continue that positive momentum, whilst the U's are back at this level for a fourth straight season and striving to produce their best performances and results.
Match preview
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Preparing to face the likes of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers in League One over the next 10 months of domestic action, Stockport County will cherish their time in the third-tier spotlight, especially when considering that they were operating in National League North as recently as 2019.
The Hatters battled through the stresses of regional and National League football to arrive in the EFL during the summer of 2022, and at the second time of asking they managed to earn promotion out of League Two, finishing four points ahead of Hollywood-backed Wrexham last term to claim the fourth-tier crown.
Netting an eye-watering total of 96 goals in just 46 league matches during 2023-24, Stockport fired their way to automatic promotion courtesy of individual brilliance from the likes of Isaac Olaofe, who will be desperate to prove that he can step up to League One following 20 strikes in League Two last time out.
Whilst the Hatters have lost an experienced head at the top end of the pitch in the form of 34-year-old Paddy Madden, Saturday's hosts have been buoyed by the loan return of Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry, who bagged nine league goals during a temporary move to Edgeley Park last campaign.
Stockport have given Championship duo Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City stern tests during their pre-season schedule, but their final dress rehearsal for this weekend did not go according to plan, with Dave Challinor's troops losing narrowly to League Two outfit Carlisle United on August 3.
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Since taking the reins at the Abbey Stadium in March, Garry Monk has guided Cambridge United to just two victories across his 11 competitive games in charge, although that less-than-inspiring record was enough for the club to maintain their League One status for a fourth year.
The former Stockport County loanee is now undertaking the process of transforming his humble U's squad into a team that can play a better brand of football in the third tier this season, despite the realisation that they possess one of the smallest budgets in the division.
Regardless of lofty ambitions of an improved philosophy, veteran centre-back Michael Morrison has admitted that the primary mission this season is to secure safety in the third tier following an 18th-placed finish during 2023-24, when Cambridge ended up four points ahead of Cheltenham Town in 21st.
The U's will need to improve their ruthlessness in front of goal if they are to enjoy a successful campaign, with Saturday's visitors to Edgeley Park making the net ripple on just 39 occasions in 46 League One contests last term, a tally only Shrewsbury Town (35) failed to match in the division.
Monk's plans to increase Cambridge's potency this term were handed a major transfer blow earlier in the summer, with last season's 11-goal leading marksman Gassan Ahadme securing a switch across third-tier battlelines to Charlton Athletic, who were in the market for an Alfie May replacement.
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Team News
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After scoring the only goal in the win over Stoke during pre-season, Stockport's Kyle Wootton will be hoping to get a chance on the League One stage this weekend.
Alongside Irishman Madden, the Hatters lost another attacking threat over the summer, with midfielder Antoni Sarcevic moving to Bradford City.
Ben Hinchliffe is ageing like fine wine in between the sticks for Stockport and should retain his first-choice status for the start of the campaign.
Seeking to address their deficiencies in attack, Cambridge signed Shayne Lavery from Blackpool over the summer and could make his competitive debut for the club at Edgeley Park.
There could also be a new face in the engine room for the U's this weekend, with ex-Premier League midfielder Gary Gardner now at Monk's disposal.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Touray, Horsfall, Pye; Southam-Hales, Powell, Camps, Adaramola, Barry; Olaofe, Wootton
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Reyes; Andrew, Watts, Ibsen-Rossi, Okedina; Kaikai, Brophy, Smith, Gibbons; Lavery, Kachunga
We say: Stockport County 2-0 Cambridge United
In front of a buoyant home crowd on the opening weekend of the season, Stockport should be confident of earning maximum points against a side who are in transition under the leadership of Monk.
A possession-based style of play is set to have its teething issues for Cambridge, so we cannot envisage the visitors collecting a positive result on Saturday evening.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
