Stockport v. Rochdale - League 2 Play Off Final - Tip of the Day.
This afternoon Stockport take on Rochdale in the final of the league 2 play off to bring the curtain down on another season of league football.
Rochdale have the unenviable record of being the team with the longest gap since it last got promoted. The last time the success starved Rochdale fans tasted promotion was in 1969 which in anyones book is a long time!
Stockport finished 4th in the regular season and Rochdale 5th with only 2 points seperating the sides after 46 matches and another tense and tight affair is expected today to go with the previous 2 play off final played over the weekend.
Rochdale got to the final after a penalty shoot out against Darlington after both legs ended 2-1 to the home side, and Stockport progressed at the expense of Wycombe by an aggregate score of 2-1.
Stockport beat Rochdale home and away during the regular season and the Rochdale defence will be sick of thesight of Stockport striker Liam Dickinson who scored all 4 goals in the 2 wins.
I saw Stockport in the first leg of the play off semi against Wycombe and was impressed by the style of football they played. Manager Jim Gannon has a crop of young players who pass the ball well and in Dickinson they he a striker who is a good target man but has skill as well and as i have said previously i believe he is destined to play at a higher level be it with Stockport or some other side.
The early team news is that Stockport defender Matty McNeil could be handed a surprise recall for the League Two play-off final after six months out with a knee injury. Gareth Owen can wear a mask to protect a broken cheekbone and Dominic Blizzard has recovered from a calf injury, but Michael Raynes (hamstring) misses out.
Rochdale midfielder David Perkins will miss the game through suspension after his sending off against Darlington in the last game and he will be a big miss for Dale how will also be without striker Lee Thorpe, who has a leg injury and recently broke his arm.
As i said earlier i expect this to be as close as the previous play off finals but i feel Stockport have the slight edge and at best price 6/4 with William Hill about a Stockport win today i will be having an investment on that outcome.
Good luck as ever
Silverfox.
Stockport v. Rochdale - League 2 Play Off Final - Tip of the Day.
