Unbeaten at home in the league since the first day of the season when Gillingham scored the only goal of the game at Edgeley Park, Stockport won twelve league games in a row after the beginning of September and have put themselves in a good position to improve on last season’s appearance in the play-offs, when they lost on penalties to Carlisle at Wembley, but after losing at Newport at the end of November they have now gone six league and cup games without a win, most recently going out of the FA Cup on Wednesday evening at home to National League Aldershot.

Leading scorer Isaac Olaofe will need little introduction to U’s players and supporters, but having scored in four consecutive games earlier in the season, including a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Wrexham, the most eye-catching result of that run of wins, he hasn’t scored since netting the late consolation goal in the defeat at Newport.

Sutton will be hoping for better luck than on last season’s visit to Edgeley Park, when Omar Bugiel was sent off after only two minutes and Stockport eased to a 3-0 win. The fortnight without a game has given some of the injuries a chance to recover and manager Matt Gray is hopeful of being able to recall some of the recent absentees on Saturday. While Stockport have gone six league and cup games without a win, U’s are unbeaten in five league games and have lost only one of the last eight in all competitions.

Saturday’s referee is Adam Herczeg, who is in his second season on the EFL list. He has refereed Sutton once before, taking charge of the 1-0 win at Kings Lynn in the 2020-21 season.

Tickets will be on sale on the day of the game from the away ticket office in the Cheadle End car park, which is also where any pre-bought tickets can be collected.  Prices are Adults £22; Concessions (age 65+/disabled/student with ID) £16; Youth (age 14-17) £10; Junior (age 6-13) £8; Child (under 6) £2. Any child under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a full paying adult/senior. Sutton supporters will enter the ground through Gate F. A fan information pack for Edgeley Park can be found here.

For anyone in the UK not going, there will be an audio commentary on the game through our iFollow service, with a match pass costing £2.50. Monthly (£4.49) and seasonal (£45) passes are also available and as well as covering all EFL games in that period would also be valid for any commentary we provide for the FA Cup game at Plymouth in January, when match passes will not be sold. Overseas supporters can watch the game for £10, or take advantage of the great value half-season pass now available for just £85. Note that these will not be valid in the FA Cup. Click here and then choose the required pass.

The easiest way to get to Saturday’s game is by train, with Stockport station very close to the ground, which is visible on the left as you approach the station. It is only just over two hours from Euston, from where trains leave at 33 and 53 minutes past the hour. Walk up Station Road, turn left at the top and cross at the pelican crossing before the roundabout.  Take the A5464 (Mercian Way) and turn left into Caroline Street for the stadium. Return direct at 04 or 24 minutes past the hour, or at 17.39 or 18.40 with a change at Crewe.

Those driving to the game should leave the M6 at Junction 19 and travel via the A556 and M56 to join the M60. Exit the M60 at Junction 1 (sign-posted ‘Stockport Town Centre’). At the roundabout, follow signs to ‘Cheadle A560’ also ‘Stockport County FC’ into Hollywood Way. Go straight on at the first set of traffic lights and turn right at the next (sign-posted ‘Cheadle A560, Stockport County FC’) onto the A560 towards ‘Ye Olde Woolpack’ pub. After 1.1 miles, turn left (no signpost, by the ‘Farmers Arms’) onto the B5465 Edgeley Road. After approximately 1 mile turn right into Dale Street at the traffic lights and take the second left into Hardcastle Road for the stadium. There is no car parking at the ground, but there are a number of pay and display car parks within a 5-10 minute walk of the ground, with the closest being Alexandra Park, SK3 9NE, on the left just before the turning to Dale Street.