180427-ViewingAccrington

The Imps travel to the Wham Stadium to face already-promoted Accrington Stanley on Saturday

Danny Cowley’s side go into their penultimate game of the regular season in their search of a point, which would mathematically guarantee Lincoln City’s place in the play-offs.

Over 1,400 Lincoln supporters are expected to attend and travel to Lancashire on the back six wins in their last nine league games.

Here is a look at Accrington’s form, their manager’s comments, previous meetings between the two clubs and what to look for in this weekend’s encounter.

Recent form

Before their defeat to Newport County on Tuesday, Accrington Stanley were on a strong run of nine wins in ten games. 

As they are now already promoted to the third tier for the first time in the club’s history, a draw on Saturday would seal the League Two title for Stanley with a game to spare. 

John Coleman’s side have dropped points once at home in 2018, taking six clean sheets in the process.

Crawley were the last team to beat Accrington at the Crown Ground in December.

Last six: WWDWWL

Last six position: 2nd

League position: 1st

Manager’s comments

Stanley manager, John Coleman, has praised The Imps and the management duo ahead of the clash at the Wham Stadium.

“I have watched Lincoln a lot, they are quite direct and physical side and I do not have a problem with that – they are successful with what they do,” said Coleman on the club’s official website.

“They have a pattern of play they all adhere to and all buy into and the management deserve the huge amount of praise and the plaudits they are getting. They have both come through the lower leagues and done the hard work at what are perhaps viewed as unfashionable clubs and they have had success and deserved a crack at a bigger club, which is Lincoln.

“They have taken Lincoln to another level, they have got them back to the strong force they were a few years ago and that’s a huge feather in the cap for them. They are a good team, they have a good work ethic, they are a fit set of lads like ourselves, they work hard for each other and I have a lot of time for teams like that.

Previous meetings

Lincoln have beaten Accrington twice already this season at Sincil Bank in the league and in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The Imps have won seven of their previous eleven league clashes with Stanley.

You have to go back to September 2006 for the first ever meeting between the two clubs, the season when Accrington were playing in the fourth tier for the first time.

One to Watch - Billy Kee 

27-year old Billy Kee is Accrington’s top-league goalscorer this season with 25 goals in 44 appearances.

The Northern Ireland international joined John Coleman’s side from Scunthorpe on a free transfer in June 2015.

Kee has also had spells at Mansfield, Burton Albion, Torquay after starting out as a trainee at Leicester.