Stockport County have been tipped to beat the likes of Luton Town, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City to the League One title by expert data analysts Opta.
After enduring a miserable time throughout the 2010s, the Hatters have enjoyed a remarkable rise through the divisions over the past few years. They suffered relegation from League One in 2010 and by 2013, they found themselves in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
Three promotions in five years between 2019 and 2024 saw them return to League One, where they were hoping to consolidate their position in a division which contained a host of former Premier League sides in Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, Reading and Barnsley.
Under the guidance of Dave Challinor, they produced another remarkable campaign, eventually finishing third behind promoted pair Birmingham and Wrexham. However, they were defeated on penalties in the play-off semi final by Leyton Orient.
Opta Issue Shock Prediction
Although it is difficult to predict how the upcoming season will go, Opta have tried their hand. The data experts have used a series of algorithms and projections to come up with the final table, which has thrown up some interesting talking points.
The main one is those who occupy the top two. Having suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and the Championship, Luton are currently the favourites to win the division, whilst Huddersfield Town’s summer activity has also put them in the automatic promotion conversation.
An early projection from expert data analysts Opta has projected the final League One table for the upcoming season. 😲#StockportCounty #LOFC pic.twitter.com/vRbqRFIe7E
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) July 29, 2025
Throw in the likes of Bolton, Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle, and League One is set to be another rollercoaster ride. However, Opta believe that Stockport will bounce back from their play-off heartbreak to win the title, setting up a place in the second tier for the first time since 2002. Furthermore, their play-off adversaries have been tipped to finish as runners-up after their narrow defeat to Charlton at Wembley Stadium in May.
Writer’s View
Stockport may not be the most glamourous name in League One but there is little doubt that they are amongst the front runners for promotion. Winning the division may be a stretch but anything can happen over a 46 game season. Dave Challinor has managed to build a capable squad year on year which has been highly competitive, and he has never recorded a finish lower than fourth in any of the divisions in which he has managed the team. It would be a shock to see them win the title but not so much for them to achieve promotion.
