Blackpool and Lincoln will face off in a Wembley showdown for a place in the Championship on Sunday

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Blackpool have been relentless for most of the campaign and they face one final hurdle against Lincoln to cement a place in the Championship.

Neil Critchley and his Seasiders’ have gone from relegation candidates after the first nine games to promotion favourites with just one more remaining, with an impressive 6-3 aggregate victory over Oxford in their back pocket.

Around 4,000 fans will be travelling from the Fylde Coast, with the same from Lincoln as the 10,000 total capacity restriction remains in place for the League One playoff final despite the Championship being given 2,000 additional tickets.

Despite the lack of numbers, Blackpool fans know better than most to savour these moments when they come around and how quickly they can be taken away.

For most attending the Wembley finale, they are just happy to be able to go and watch their football club play again after the pain of Oyston ownership, with now-owner Simon Sadler reinvigorating a club with huge potential.

As for team news, Dan Ballard left the field at half time in their last outing at home against Oxford and the Arsenal loanee remains a doubt in the heart of the defence.

Ballard, who has been one of the pivotal figures of the season for Blackpool, will be a big miss if he cannot make the game, however Blackpool have found it easy to adapt and react to news like this with the likes of Marvin Ekpiteta, Jordan Thorniley and James Husband stepping up when required.

Grant Ward and Sullay Kaikai could be ready for the game but they again are doubts for the fixture having played no part in the two semi-final legs, both again have been big players this season but like in defence, others have stepped up when needed.

As for Lincoln, Michael Appleton has done a terrific job to find his side one game from a place in the Championship, having put together a young talented squad with lots of potential going forward.

Appleton’s side were underdogs to those with a passing glance at League One given the stature of Sunderland, but for those who have seen his side this season and the Black Cats, Lincoln prevailing over two legs did not come as much of a surprise.

Despite an away defeat in the second leg and a first half collapse that, at one stage, looked to derail a campaign that has seen the club continually punch above their weight, their superb first leg victory was enough to put them through on aggregate.

There was a stage where Lincoln looked likely to drop off and not achieve a playoff place but the reintroduction of Jorge Grant following injury and in recent times Conor McGrandles and Joe Walsh has given an extra dimension to their play.

Morgan Rogers and Brennan Johnson are both players that have similarly showcased their potential and provide a real threat going forward with a fearless driving approach, something that has disrupted many opposition defences this season.

Lincoln are the only side in the top eight that Blackpool have not beaten this season, despite the Seasiders leading 2-0 away at Sincil Bank in their last outing before a late collapse.

This fixture is without doubt the right one out of the four playoff clubs and both have well and truly earned their place on the Wembley turf but Blackpool have always taken that extra step when needed this season in the big moments, and it has to be expected this mentality will see them over the line once more.

But this is the playoffs and, despite the Tangerines being the most successful team in playoff history, anything can happen once the referee’s whistle is blown.

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