League Two Play-Off Final: Carlisle United vs Stockport County Key Stats, Insights & Markets

On Sunday at 1:30 pm, Carlisle United and Stockport County go head to head at Wembley Stadium in League Two’s play-off final in what is set to be a fascinating contest.

Heading into the 2022/23 League Two season, both sides were expected to have contrasting fortunes, with the Cumbrians looking to push on under the management of Paul Simpson who had managed to guide the club away from relegation to the National League in 2021/22, while Stockport County were one of the favourites for promotion to League Two, having been promoted from the National League with a very talented squad.

Notably, Simpson was the last man to earn Carlisle promotion from League Two, doing so back in his first spell at the club back in 2005/06 after winning the Conference National play-offs just one year prior in 2004/05.

Stockport haven’t competed in English football’s third-tier since 2009/10 when they completed the whole season under administration and would consequently go on to suffer three relegations in four seasons that saw them drop down to the National League North for the start of the 2013/14 campaign.

Carlisle United

Carlisle United managed to record a fifth-place finish in the League Two standings, ending up seven points shy of the automatic promotion places.

This was seen as a good effort overall considering the lack of financial might that the Brunton Park club has in comparison to a lot of those in League Two, however, Simpson will be slightly disappointed that they couldn’t maintain their good form throughout the campaign into the final couple of months that were left in the regular league season.

United only managed to win two of their last 11 league matches heading into their play-off semi-finals tie with Bradford, doing so via 2-0 and 1-0 wins at home to Tranmere Rovers and away at local rivals, Barrow.

However, Simpson’s men showed good character by deservedly beating Bradford City 3-2 on aggregate in the play-offs, with Stockport loanee Ben Barclay getting the winner in extra-time. Unfortunately for Barclay, this was a bittersweet moment as he is unable to play in the final against his parent club.

Stockport County

Stockport were in the hunt for automatic promotion until the final day of the League Two season, however, results didn’t fall their way, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to already-relegated Hartlepool, while Northampton managed to beat Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park, seeing them fall four points short.

County were quite the opposite to Carlisle in the form books, as they had a very slow start to life in League Two, winning just two of their first 11 matches, before going on a barnstorming run from the start of February, winning 11 games and drawing six of their last 18 fixtures in the regular league campaign.

In the play-off semi-finals, Stockport went up against local rivals, Salford City, and played out two entertaining matches, as following a 1-0 loss in the first-leg in Salford, they battled to a 2-1 home win over the Ammies at Edgely Park before winning 3-1 on penalties as goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe went on to save spot-kicks from Adrian Mariappa and Stevie Mallan.

Promotion Odds

Carlisle United are priced at 11/10 to earn promotion to League One on Sunday. This is understandable when considering their form heading into the play-offs, as well as the fact that they have failed to beat County on both occasions that the sides have met, losing 2-0 at Edgeley Park back in October, while drawing 2-2 with Dave Challinor’s men on 18th April.

Goalscorer Odds

Kristian Dennis is Carlisle’s top scorer heading into the play-off final, having scored 21 times and created four assists in 47 matches across all competitions, seeing the former Stockport man priced at 6/1 to score first or last.

Owen Moxon is United’s second top scorer with just six goals, however, the 25-year-old Carlisle-born midfielder has created 17 assists in 50 matches. Moxon is priced at 20/1 to score from outside the penalty area on Sunday.

Card Markets

Jon Mellish and Jack Armer have received the most yellow cards of anybody for the Cumbrians, having both been shown ten each across the campaign, with the former managing this in 46 matches, five fewer games than the latter.

Paul Huntington and Moxon are third and fourth in terms of cautions for Simpson’s men, receiving eight and seven yellow cards across the 2022/23 campaign.

Promotion Odds

Stockport were the favourites to win League Two at the start of the season at 13/2 and currently stand at 4/6 to be promoted at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

County were the most in-form team in the division heading into the play-offs, even brushing aside the likes of League Two champions Leyton Orient 3-0 at Brisbane Road in April and will be confident of beating a Carlisle side that they have a good record against this season.

Goalscorer Odds

Kyle Wootton is Stockport’s top scorer, as the ex-Notts County man has managed to find the back of the net 14 times while creating six assists - the 26-year-old is priced at 6/1 to score first or last.

Ex-Carlisle striker Paddy Madden has fired in 11 goals from 41 appearances during the current campaign and is priced at 5/2 to score anytime against the Brunton Park club at Wembley.

Card Markets

Myles Hippolyte leads the way for Stockport on the yellow cards front, having been shown eight in 52 appearances this campaign.

Former Preston North End midfielder Ryan Croasdale and ex-Fleetwood Town man Ryan Rydel follow Hippolyte closely for cautions, having both been shown six yellow cards each.

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