Blackpool VS Lincoln City – Match Preview

Kick Off: 3pm GMT, Sunday 30th May, Wembley Stadium, League One Playoff Final

Last 5 Games:

• Blackpool WWWWD
• Lincoln City DLDWL

This Sunday, Blackpool and Lincoln will met in the League One playoff final, were a place in the Championship is up for grabs.

Blackpool finished their season in 3rd position, just 7 points behind Peterborough United who gained the last automatic promotion place. As for Lincoln, they finished 5th in the league, on the same points as Sunderland in 4th and they finished 3 points behind Blackpool.

In Blackpool’s semi final, they faced Oxford United who took the final place in the playoffs. They travelled to the Kassam Stadium, and put themselves in a commanding position winning 3-0. Oliver Turton and Ellis Simms scored in the first half, and Simms got himself another late on in the second half.

In the second leg, Blackpool found themselves 1-0 down, but they were able to work hard and draw the game 3-3 with goals coming from Elliot Embleton, Kenny Douglas and Jerry Yates as they secured their place at Wembley.

If Blackpool are able to beat Lincoln on Sunday, they will be back in the Championship for the first time since the 2014-15 season, with this being their closest chance of promotion back to the Championship since their promotion back to League One.

However, they must stop Lincoln, who have never been apart of the Championship, and they put in a convincing display, like Blackpool, when they played Sunderland.

In the first leg, Lincoln played in front of their fans at Sincil Bank, and they gave themselves an advantage, beating the Black Cats 2-0. Both of the goals came in the second half. The first was turned home by Tom Hopper, with the second from Brennan Johnson after a mistake from Lee Burge.

In the return tie at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland took the game to Lincoln, scoring an early goal and Charlie Wyke drew the game level. Lincoln were able to withstand much more of the pressure going into the second half, and got an all important goal when Hopper headed home from a corner.

When these teams met in the season, neither game was shy of goals. In the first game on the Lancashire Coast, Lincoln took home the three points with a 3-2 win. Jorge Grant cancelled out Blackpool’s two goals and in the 88th minute, Dutchman Lewis Montsma got the winner.

In the second game, Blackpool found themselves in control of the game as they were two goals up as Simms and Sullay Kaikai struck either side of the half. However, Blackpool couldn’t keep hold of the lead, when Anthony Scully and Johnson gained a point for the Imps.

Key Players:

Daniel Ballard: The Northern Irish defender has been a rock at the back for Blackpool this season.

He joined on loan from Arsenal in the summer, and he’s been key to their success with his brilliant positioning and blocking.

Tom Hopper: He was Lincoln’s hero in the semi finals, as his two goals secured a Playoff Final place.

The striker scored to important goals, to add to his 10 goals and 4 assists this season, as he looks to inspire his team ahead of their big clash on Sunday.