As they prepare for the League One playoffs, in-form Stockport County will welcome a resilient Lincoln City to Edgeley Park on Saturday.
The Hatters will be looking to make it seven wins from eight this weekend, while the Imps will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to six games.
Match preview
![Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/dave-challinor.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
© Imago
Dave Challinor's Stockport have already mathematically qualified for the playoffs in the third tier, and having lost just one of their last 11, as well as winning five of their last six, they are in excellent form.
Most recently, the Hatters secured another three points when they came from behind to beat Huddersfield Town 2-1 thanks to late goals from captain Fraser Horsfall and Oliver Norwood.
That win has Challinor's side in fifth place with 81 points, though while they are still technically able to reach second-placed Wrexham in the automatic promotion spot, they are unlikely to close the five-point gap with just two matches remaining.
As they look to continue their momentum through the end of the regular season, this weekend's hosts will be confident of getting revenge for their loss in the reverse fixture considering that they have won nine of their last 10 at Edgeley Park, drawing the other.
Should Stockport earn their 24th victory of the season on Saturday, then they could leapfrog both Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers to climb up to third, where they may only be two points behind second-placed Wrexham in a best-case scenario.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Michael Skubala's Lincoln have won three of their most recent five matches, and after losing only once across their last eight games, they will feel capable of causing problems for the promotion hopefuls.
Last time out, the Imps played out a six-goal thriller against Bolton, and walked away with all three points in a 4-2 win after James Collins and Reeco Hackett's second-half strikes.
Victory at the LNER Stadium on Monday kept Skubala's side 11th with 61 points, but with two games left to play, the highest position they can reach is eighth, where the Trotters are currently five points ahead.
Despite coming up against high-calibre opposition this weekend, the visitors will take heart from earning four points in their two most recent away games, but given that their travelling record features three losses from their last five on the road, fans would be forgiven for having doubts.
Regardless, victory over the Hatters could take Lincoln above both Blackpool and Huddersfield and into ninth place should results prove favourable, but defeat would give Barnsley the chance to go level on points with the Imps.
Team News
© Imago
Stockport's goalscorers from their clash with Huddersfield should start once again, with Fraser Horsfall joined by Brad Hills at the heart of Challinor's defence, while Oliver Norwood operates at the base of midfield with Jayden Fevrier, Will Collar and Jack Diamond ahead of him.
Up top, striker Kyle Wootton is likely to be partnered with Isaac Olaofe once again, and full-backs Jay Mingi and Ibou Touray should provide width with their overlapping runs.
As for Lincoln, veteran striker James Collins chipped in with a brace last time out, and he should start this weekend, backed up by trio of Reeco Hackett, Ben House and Erik Ring.
Elsewhere, midfielders Ethan Erhahon and Ethan Hamilton will start as a double pivot for Skubala's side, while Thomas Hamer and Adam Jackson shield goalkeeper George Wickens from centre-back.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Mingi, Horsfall, Hills, Touray; Norwood; Fevrier, Collar, Diamond; Olaofe, Wootton
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, Jackson, Roughan; Erhahon, Hamilton; Hackett-Fairchild, House, Ring; Collins
We say: Stockport County 2-1 Lincoln City
Stockport are in excellent form ahead of this weekend's clash, and as they build momentum prior to the playoffs, they look likely to take another three points.
However, Lincoln's unbeaten run highlights their resilience, so expect them to cause difficulties for their hosts on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
