Preview: Stockport County vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have collected 10 points from their last four games themselves to move away from relegation danger.

Match preview

Having missed out on promotion in their first season back in the Football League when losing on penalties to Carlisle United in the play-off final, Stockport appear hell-bent on making their return to the third tier for the first times since 2010.

Dave Challinor's side actually began the season surprisingly slowly, winning just one of their opening six league games, yet an incredible run of 11 straight victories since has helped them move five points clear at League Two's summit.

Their most recent win was one of their most impressive yet, as they twice came from behind away to Swindon Town before ultimately prevailing 4-2. Swindon had won five of their seven matches at The County Ground heading into the encounter and displayed their strength with Dan Kemp and Jake Young nudging them ahead either side of half-time, but late goals from Odin Bailey and Callum Camps sent Stockport's travelling fans into delirium.

Their 13-match winning streak in all competition came to an end against Bolton Wanderers in the Football League Trophy on Tuesday, but the Hatters had already secured their place in the knockout stages of that competition in any case, with Challinor unsurprisingly making several changes against one of League One's strongest sides. His strongest XI will be highly motivated to maintain their winning league run against bottom half opponents this weekend.

However, Colchester's form has significantly picked up in recent weeks, with successive wins against Grimsby Town, Accrington Stanley and Swindon putting significant distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Ironically, this impressive run of form has come about since relieving Ben Garner from his position as manager last month, with the U's yet to name a permanent replacement. However, former West Ham United winger Matthew Etherington is expected to fill that void imminently having impressed as interim boss.

Colchester were left frustrated with a 1-1 draw at home against rock-bottom Sutton United last weekend, though, with Omar Sowunmi rescuing a point for the visitors in the fifth minute of injury time. Arthur Read appeared to have bagged the winner in the 80th minute, but Sutton fought back to remain within nine points of Colchester in the table.

Having fought against relegation for the most part in the last few years, Etherington's main priority will be ensuring that Colchester remain in the Football League if indeed he is named as manager as expected, but his players will be fearing the worst when they arrive in Greater Manchester on Saturday.

Stockport County League Two form:

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Stockport County form (all competitions):

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Colchester United League Two form:

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Colchester United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Challinor changed his entire team for Stockport's cup game against Bolton in midweek, meaning he is likely to revert to the same starting XI which dispatched Swindon in a topsy-turvy encounter last weekend.

As such, the likes of Paddy Madden and Nick Powell will have to settle on making an impact from the bench once again, which showcases Stockport's strength in depth at this level.

Colchester could be fresher having had no match in midweek, but Etherington may be concerned regarding a mental hangover from conceding with almost the last kick of the game against Sutton.

Jay Mingi could be in contention to beef up the visitors' midfield, but finding a place for both Noah Chilvers and Cameron McGeehan in that scenario may prove difficult, meaning one of them may drop to the bench.

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Southam-Hales, Wright, Horsfall, Pye; Bailey, Croasdale, Collar; Olaofe, Sarcevic, Wooton

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Mitchell, Dallison, Egbo; Fevrier, Mingi, Read, Greenidge; Chilvers; Tovide, Taylor

We say: Stockport County 2-0 Colchester United

Although Colchester have improved since Etherington came in as their caretaker manager, Stockport are clearly a cut above them in terms of quality, and we expect their mammoth winning run to continue.

Challinor's side appear to be unstoppable at this level on current form and it is likely to take a better team than Colchester to stop them, particularly when playing at Edgeley Park.

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