Stockport County v Blackpool: League One match report and stats 2026

Key Points

• Stockport County will be playing against Blackpool in a League One match at Edgeley Park on Saturday, 22 August 2026, starting at 15:00 UK time.
• Stockport County come into the game having picked up three points to occupy the fourth spot after a 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle, while Blackpool occupy the 14th spot having picked up one point in a 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.
• The head-to-head statistics indicate that Stockport have beaten Blackpool in all of the last four league matches played between the two teams, including a 2-1 away win on 27 January 2026.
• The managers of the two teams, Jimmy McNulty (Stockport) and Ian Evatt (Blackpool), announce team selections with the captain of each team being Oli Norwood and Conor Hamilton respectively.
• The match will be officiated by referee Carl Brook with the assistance of Matthew Sowerby and Thomas Harty as well as fourth official Matthew Parry.

Stockport (Manchester Mirror) August 22, 2026 – uk/local/stockport/">Stockport County and Blackpool meet at Edgeley Park in a League One clash that pits a side beginning their second campaign in the third tier against a former top-flight club seeking early-season momentum. As reported by BBC Sport, the fixture forms part of Saturday’s full League One schedule, with both teams looking to build on opening-week results that saw Stockport secure an away win and Blackpool share the points at home.

What are the latest team news and line-ups for Stockport County v Blackpool?

Stockport County manager Jimmy McNulty selects a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Oli Whatmuff in goal behind a back three of Ethan Pye, Ethan O’Connell and Kyle Gordon. In midfield, Ben Osborn, captain Oli Norwood, Lewis Bate and Rhys Glover provide the engine room, while Jack Diamond and Harry Wood operate behind striker Kyle Wootton. Substitutes include Benoni Andrésson, Luca Fiorini and Max Mandron among others.

Blackpool, managed by Ian Evatt, line up in a 4-1-3-2 shape with Bailey Peacock-Farrell as goalkeeper and a defence of Tom Bloxham, Zech Ashworth, Owen Casey and Jack Williams. Aaron Morgan anchors the midfield ahead of the back four, with Kyle Anderson, George Honeyman and Josh Bowler providing width and creativity. Up front, Conor Hamilton captains the side alongside Dion Charles, with Hayden Coulson and others available from the bench.

How do Stockport County and Blackpool compare on form and league position?

Stockport County begin the match in fourth place in the League One table, having collected three points from their opening fixture—a 3-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle on 15 August 2026. The Hatters scored three goals and conceded once, leaving them with a +2 goal difference after one game.

Blackpool occupy 14th position with one point from a 1-1 home draw against Wycombe Wanderers on the same weekend. The Seasiders’ goal difference stands at level after netting once and conceding once in their opener. In broader recent form across competitions, Stockport have recorded wins in friendlies and the EFL Trophy, while Blackpool’s pre-season and cup results include a 3-1 Carabao Cup win at Grimsby Town and mixed friendlies.

What do the head-to-head records show between Stockport County and Blackpool?

Head-to-head statistics underline Stockport’s recent dominance in this fixture. As compiled by BBC Sport and other data providers, Stockport have won each of their last four league games against Blackpool, marking their longest ever winning run in the matchup. The most recent encounter, on 27 January 2026 at Bloomfield Road, ended 2-1 to Stockport, with goals from Kyle Wootton and Jack Diamond contributing to the away victory.

Earlier results include a 1-0 Stockport win at Edgeley Park on 11 October 2025, a 2-1 home victory on 1 March 2025, and a 3-0 triumph at Bloomfield Road on 17 August 2024. Historical notes from BBC Sport add that since 1994, Blackpool have kept just one clean sheet across nine away league visits to Stockport, winning two, drawing two and losing five in that span.

What are the key match statistics and performance indicators?

Season-to-date statistics after one League One game show Stockport averaging three goals scored and one conceded per match, compared with Blackpool’s one goal scored and one conceded. In terms of shooting, Blackpool have registered more attempts overall—17 shots to Stockport’s eight—but the Hatters have been more efficient in converting chances, reflected in their superior goal tally.

Shots on target stand at four for Stockport and seven for Blackpool, while passing accuracy is closely matched at 79.26% for the hosts and 79.37% for the visitors. Discipline metrics indicate 10 fouls committed by Stockport and 11 by Blackpool, with corner counts at three and five respectively in the early data snapshot.

What are the pre-match predictions and betting insights?

Data analysis from Sports Mole ahead of kick-off assigned a 56.82% probability to a Stockport County win, 22.33% to a draw and 20.85% to a Blackpool victory. The most likely correct score for a home win was projected at 2-1 (10.28%), followed by 1-0 (9.37%) and 2-0 (8.79%). For a draw, 1-1 was rated the likeliest outcome at 10.3%, while a 1-2 away win carried a 5.41% probability.

Betting models highlighted a 57.32% chance of both teams scoring, with over 2.5 goals assessed at 59% probability. Independent tipster aggregators echoed the lean towards the hosts, citing Stockport’s four consecutive H2H wins and an average of 2.5 goals per game across those fixtures.

Background of the particular development

This fixture arrives as Stockport County consolidate their status in League One following promotion, while Blackpool aim to re-establish themselves after recent seasons oscillating between divisions. Stockport’s 3-1 opening-day win at Plymouth signalled attacking intent under McNulty, with Kyle Wootton, Jack Diamond and Lewis Bate featuring prominently in early goal and assist charts. Blackpool’s 1-1 draw with Wycombe reflected a need to convert possession and chances into points on the road, with Ian Evatt’s side registering more shots but sharing the spoils.

The broader context includes Stockport’s ambition to build on their 2025–26 campaign—where they reached the promotion play-off final—and Blackpool’s push to climb from mid-table towards the play-off places. With both teams having played one League One game each, this match represents an early opportunity to shape momentum and table positioning before the fixture list intensifies.

Prediction: how this development can affect fans, bettors and fantasy players

For Stockport supporters, a home victory would reinforce confidence in the club’s League One trajectory and validate pre-season investment in squad depth, while a draw or defeat could raise questions about converting dominance into points. Blackpool fans, meanwhile, will view an away win as a statement of progress under Evatt, particularly given the historical difficulty of visiting Edgeley Park; a loss would extend an unwelcome run of H2H results and increase pressure to improve away form.

Bettors tracking model-based tips are likely to weigh the 56–57% probability range for a home win and both teams to score when assessing pre-match and in-play markets. Fantasy football participants in League One-focused formats may prioritise Stockport attackers such as Kyle Wootton and Jack Diamond, who have early goal involvements, while monitoring Blackpool’s wide players for assist potential if the visitors sustain their shot volume.