Lincoln welcome Sunderland to the LNER Stadium ahead of their EFL League One play-off clash

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The Imps play the role of the hosts welcoming the Black Cats to Lincolnshire in the first-leg of their play-off semi-final encounter.

Michael Appleton’s side spent most of the season up near the top of the table, but a poor showing in the latter stages of the season cost them an automatic promotion spot.

Ultimately finishing fifth can be seen as quite disappointing for some, however, not so long ago the Imps were in non-league so it goes without saying that 45-year-old has done a fantastic job at the club.

In the final game of the season, Lincoln welcomed AFC Wimbledon and were unable to get the win against the London side drawing 0-0 with the Dons.

They were sure to play in the play-offs heading into the last game of the regular season and already knew their oppositions.

Sunderland were also at home for the final game as they faced the relegated Northampton Town at the Stadium of Light.

An intense battle between the two sides saw some action and goals in the final 10 minutes of the encounter. The Cobblers fired their shot first as Sam Hoskins gave the visitors the lead in the 84th minute.

The hosts did not give up and Carl Winchester gave them a timely equaliser three minutes later with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Lincoln and Sunderland faced each other three times during the course of the season, once in Papa John’s Trophy and twice in League One.

The first meeting came back in December with the Black Cats destroying the Imps 4-0. Grant Leadbitter got Sunderland going from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, and from then on the visitors were in cruise control.

A double from Charlie Wyke and a goal from Jack Diamond saw Lee Johnson’s men take a well-deserved victory back to Sunderland.

Their next encounter was a Papa John’s Trophy semi-final encounter that was level after 90 minutes but the Black Cats won again this time on penalties 5-3.

20th March was the last time the two faced each other and the points were split after a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Callum McFadzean gave the hosts the lead five minutes before half-time with Callum Morton responding with a goal in the 63rd minute rescuing a point for the Imps.

Lincoln have only beaten Sunderland four times in the all-time head to head with three of those victories coming in Lincolnshire.

The Black Cats have been dominant against the Imps in the last five encounters between the two sides as the Wearsiders have recorded three victories, a draw and a single loss.

That single defeat was the last time Lincoln beat them at the LNER Stadium. The Imps secured a 2-0 victory in October 2019 in a season that was cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

A home win would benefit Appleton’s men but the ex-Premier League side with Lee Johnson at the helm will definitely not back away from a challenge which makes this fixture even tastier.

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