AI predicts the exact score of Bolton Wanderers v Stockport County play-off final | OneFootball

FLW has consulted ChatGPT to get its views on how the League One play-off final will play out on Sunday

The League One campaign comes to a close on Sunday, as Stockport County do battle with Bolton Wanderers with a place in the Championship on the line.

Neither side has good relations with the play-offs in recent history. This is Bolton's third crack at the post-season in the last four years. Their last top six finish saw them upset at Wembley in the final two years ago against Oxford United.

Meanwhile, this is the fifth time Stockport have been in the play-offs in the last nine seasons, stretching all the way back to their time in the National League North in 2018. They've failed to gain promotion in any of the prior four, including last season, when Leyton Orient beat them on penalties at the semi-final stage. .

The Hatters have also had their taste of Wembley defeat this season, too, as they were beaten in the Vertu Trophy final back in April against Luton Town.

So, one side's recent play-off hoodoo will come to a close this weekend, and another's Wembley dismay will go on, but with both sides almost neck and neck throughout the campaign, harbouring lofty expectations and possessing squads capable of promotion, it's difficult to truly call a winner.

AI predicts the League One play-off final result

Therefore, Football League World has turned to popular AI-based chat service ChatGPT to get its view on how the League One play-off final will turn out.

And if you're of the Stockport persuasion, you're in luck, because AI has predicted a 2-1 win for Dave Challinor's side, citing their better regular season and better form going into the play-offs as a whole as reasons why.

While play-off finals can get somewhat cagey, ChatGPT doesn't believe that this one will be the case, with enough attacking quality on display to make for an entertaining bout under the arch.

The prediction goes on to state that Kyle Wootton will be the man to give Stockport the lead from a set-piece, which is understandable, given that the talisman will likely once again be lining up alongside Ethan Pye in defence. Then, Bolton would equalise through Sam Dalby in the second half.

In the final 10 minutes, though, AI believes that County's attacking depth will pull through, and Tanto Olaofe will score the goal to send Stockport into the Championship.

Bolton v Stockport could be a play-off final for the ages

Given the pre-season expectations of both sides to be up in the automatic promotion places, there's no real favourite and no real underdog out of the two sides heading into the play-off final on Sunday.

Additionally, the two sides played out a highly competitive 2-2 draw when they both met at the Toughsheet Stadium on Easter Monday, with both sides taking leads within it, so when Bolton and Stockport are on their games, they're both evenly matched.

After two thoroughly professional displays over two legs in the semi-finals against underdog sides who had little in terms of expectation in comparison, it's clear that they're both arriving at Wembley fully focused and ready to put in their best performance of the season.

The 2026/27 League One lineup looks incredibly competitive compared to this past season as well, so there's an added incentive to get out as soon as possible to avoid having to battle for promotion next year.

So, there's plenty on the line and two top sides ready to fight for it. It's certain to be an incredible final on Sunday, and whoever ends up joining Lincoln City and Cardiff City in the second tier will definitely be coming out as deserved winners.