Lincoln vs Stockport County Prediction

Alright mate, pull up a stool and let me tell you about this Lincoln side – they're absolutely flying at the top of League One and looking proper nailed on for the title! The Imps have taken 28 points from their last 30 available, winning nine on the bounce with a draw against Bolton the only blot on their copybook since late January. We're talking about a team that's put four past Blackpool and Northampton without reply, and gone to second-placed Cardiff and come back with a comfortable 2-0 win. That's serious business.

When you look at the bare numbers, it's enough to make your eyes water. Seven clean sheets in their last ten games, conceding just three goals in that run while banging in 24 at the other end. At home it's even more impressive – 2.8 goals per game and a fortress-like defence letting in just 0.4 per match. They've won 80% of their last five at Sincil Bank, and with that 4-1 demolition of Plymouth and the 3-0 thumping of Bradford recently, the confidence is sky-high.

Now, Stockport County aren't mugs – they're sitting pretty in the playoff spots in fifth – but their form doesn't exactly scream 'giant killers' right now. They've won five of their last ten, sure, but they've lost to Stevenage and Burton Albion in recent weeks and managed just a point against Mansfield Town last time out. Away from home it's a 50/50 split between wins and losses in their last six, and while they did beat Plymouth 2-1 at home recently, they'll need more than that to stop this Lincoln juggernaut.

The head-to-head makes interesting reading – Stockport actually lead the overall record with three wins to Lincoln's two – but the Imps got the better of them 2-1 on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture. That result showed Lincoln can handle whatever Stockport throw at them, and given the home side are averaging nearly two goals expected against just 0.87 for the visitors according to the numbers, it's hard to see past a home win.

The bookies have Lincoln at 1.91, which isn't exactly giving money away, but when a team's winning 90% of their games and keeping seven clean sheets out of ten, that starts to look like decent value. Stockport have failed to score in two of their last six away days, and up against this miserly Lincoln defence, they might struggle again. I'm not messing about with fancy bets here – the straight home win is the play.

Key Points:

• Lincoln have won 9 of their last 10 matches, drawing the other

• The league leaders have kept 7 clean sheets in those 10 games

• Lincoln beat 2nd-placed Cardiff 2-0 away and put 4 past both Blackpool and Northampton at home

• Stockport have lost 2 of their last 4 league games (vs Stevenage and Burton Albion)

• Stockport's away form shows 3 wins and 3 losses in their last 6 on the road

• Lincoln's home attack averages 2.8 goals per game with just 0.4 conceded

Summary: Lincoln are in irresistible form and Stockport are stumbling just when they need to be at their best. The 1.91 on a home win looks a solid bit of business for a side that's been practically unbeatable. Back the Imps to keep the good times rolling.