Stockport County v Leyton Orient: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Stockport County and Leyton Orient put on an entertaining contest in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final in east London on Saturday, and after that 2-2 draw, it's all to play for in the second leg at Edgeley Park on Wednesday.

There was a moment of great controversy as Orient's opening goal was scored by Charlie Kelman from a position that was several yards offside, but that was far from the only talking point in a match that featured penalties for both teams and end-to-end action.

The draw means that both teams remain on long unbeaten runs, with Orient having not lost any of their last eight matches, while Stockport have gone one better with seven wins and two draws in their previous nine outings.

Stockport finished three places and nine points ahead of sixth-placed Orient in the regular season, but it was honours even in their league meetings, with County winning 1-0 in London while Orient won 4-1 on their last visit to Edgeley Park in September.

Stockport County v Leyton Orient betting tips and predictions

Stockport County to win - 9/10

Stockport should not need any extra motivation than the home leg of a play-off semi-final would naturally provide, but the sense of injustice from Orient's opening goal on Saturday should ensure that Dave Challinor's side are fully fired up.

County did superbly to put that 30th-minute setback behind them and turn the game around with two goals in six second-half minutes and they were closing in on a first-leg lead when a late Orient penalty levelled the match.

Stockport had shown enough to suggest that they remain in strong form after winning seven of their previous eight games and they have been beaten only twice in their last 22 matches.

They earned 16 of their 25 league wins at home, so getting through the away leg on even terms leaves them in excellent shape to book a spot at Wembley.

Orient always had the capability to test any of their play-off opponents on any given day after finishing the regular-season campaign like a train with six successive wins.

They have won their last four away games and while none of the teams they beat were in form they remain hard to write off with the division's top scorer in their ranks in the dangerous Kelman.

Stockport should benefit from a loud home crowd in the second leg and with only champions Birmingham scoring more home league goals this season than their tally of 42, the hosts can grab the victory they need to reach Wembley.

Over 2.5 goals - 19/20

Saturday's four-goal game was far from the first high-scoring contest that either of these sides had been involved in lately and another lively encounter can be anticipated.

Both teams have scored in each of Stockport's last six matches with all but one of those going over 2.5 goals, while six of Orient's last seven games have produced at least three goals.

Richie Wellens' side have kept only three clean sheets in their last 18 appearances, but they have now scored at least twice in six of their previous seven games.

Four of the teams' five meetings over the last two seasons have gone over 2.5 goals and Wednesday's big game could follow suit.

Fraser Horsfall anytime goalscorer - 11/2

Defender Fraser Horsfall has not been the regular goalscoring threat for Stockport that he was for his former club, Northampton, but he has been warming up and netted for the second time in four games when putting County 2-1 up with a powerful header after 65 minutes on Saturday.

That goal came from a free-kick and Orient's marking at set-pieces has let them down regularly this season. Horsfall has a physical presence that has to be accounted for at corners and his recent goal against Huddersfield came from a flag-kick. 

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Stockport County v Leyton Orient odds

Stockport County - 9/10
Draw - 13/5
Leyton Orient - 14/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.