League One’s promotion underdogs set to clash at LNER Stadium

Few would’ve predicted Lincoln City and Plymouth Argyle to have raced to the top end of League One, but they now go head-to-head for the first time in seven years.

The Imps and the Pilgrims will meet for the first time since their First Round FA Cup replay in 2013, which saw Plymouth run out 5-0 victors. A lot has happened in the seven years since their last clash, and the two sides now find themselves as underdogs for promotion from League One.

While the likes of Sunderland, Ipswich and Peterborough were tipped to be the main promotion contenders this season, Lincoln and Plymouth have surpassed expectations and now sit third and sixth in the league respectively. Michael Appleton’s side have sat top of the table for much of the season so far, picking up 13 points from their opening six games. Ryan Lowe’s men, on the other hand, had a slower start to the campaign, but have since shot up the table with back-to-back victories.

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The Imps had a secure yet underwhelming campaign last season. The departure of the Cowley brothers to Huddersfield clearly had a huge impact on the team, and it took new manager Michael Appleton quite a while to get his tactics and ideology across to the players.

Having now had two full transfer windows in charge, he has largely overhauled the squad that finished 16th last season, in favour of signing and promoting a younger generation of players. An improvement was expected, but not many fans expected Lincoln to do as well as they have done so far.

The Pilgrims, on the other hand, are enjoying the boost in confidence that has come with their recent promotion from League Two. Of the teams promoted from the fourth tier last season, Ryan Lowe’s side have done by far the best, and look the most likely to challenge for a Play-Off spot this campaign.

Both sides have, however, faced challenges despite their superb starts. Lincoln had won their opening four league fixtures before the visit of Bristol Rovers, who came away from the LNER Stadium with a shock 2-1 win. The Imps subsequently played out a goalless draw away at Fleetwood, meaning that they’ve picked up just one point from their last two games. They still sit third in the table, but head into Tuesday’s clash in underwhelming form.

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Plymouth have, in fact, faced the opposite problem. The Pilgrims had a tough start to the season despite their opening day win against Blackpool, picking up just two points from games against Wimbledon, Shrewsbury and Hull. However, Ryan Lowe’s side have notched up consecutive home wins against Burton and Northampton. They travel to the LNER Stadium in good form, but will face one of their toughest tests so far this season.

It’s tough to tell how these two sides will do this this season. The Imps look much stronger than they did last campaign, but still have shown signs of vulnerability. Their response to a couple of disappointing results will show what their mental strength is like, and whether or not they can be considered genuine contenders for promotion this season or not.

This is a chance for their key players to shine and prove that they have what it takes to continue their form so far this season. The likes of Jorge Grant and Lewis Montsma have been superb in Lincoln’s opening six fixtures, scoring seven goals between them – an astonishing stat when considering that Monstma is a centre-back with three goals to his name. They will be key figures in ensuring that the Imps maintain their position at the top end of League One.

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Plymouth are still riding the wave of last season’s promotion. Home Park is an incredibly tough place for any visiting team to play, whether that’s with or without fans. They remain undefeated at home, but have yet to pick up an away win, having only mustered a single point away from home so far this season.

If they want to become a legitimate candidate for a Play-Off place, they will have to start replicate their home performances on the road as well. They have a chance to pick up their first away win at the LNER Stadium on Tuesday.

Their squad has more than enough quality to compete. Conor Grant perhaps stands out the most, having picked up two goals and three assists in the opening six games of the season. Ryan Hardie, George Cooper, Joe Edwards and Danny Mayor all played a part in Plymouth’s promotion campaign, but have shown that they have the quality to become a real threat in League One – should they continue their impressive run of form from their last two games.

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