Lincoln City aim to go back to the top of the table as crucial games come thick and fast

Lincoln City host Northampton town hoping to return to the top of the League One table. They only played the Cobblers just over a month ago, beating them away from home at Sixfields 4-0.  

Michael Appleton’s men can stretch their unbeaten run to six games after a short dip in form halfway through December.  

Neither team have played a match since they featured in the Football League Trophy on the 12th of January. Lincoln advanced after thrashing Accrington Stanley, and Northampton suffered defeat to MK Dons. 

With recent postponements of EFL games, due to a number of reasons including Covid-19 complications and also bad weather, there has been growing concern for the future of this season. However, it would probably be the last resort to suspend elite sports as growing concerns of upcoming competitions such as the Euros could spike chaos. 

Both sides will have had eleven days to prepare for this game, as we enter into a crucial stage of the season. End of season objectives will be quite different for both sides as they’re fighting at either end of the table but ultimately their goal will to be win every game.  

Keith Curle has had a busy transfer window thus far making three signings, all on loan. Ryan Edmonson signed from Leeds, Mickel Miller from Rotherham and Bryn Morris from Portsmouth have all joined until the end of the season over the past week. All are eligible to play this weekend.  

Curle said, “You always get a buzz when new players come in. I’m very happy with the signings we’ve made, and they have all been first choice.” 

The East Midlands side will have a slight bit of confidence ahead of this tough fixture, they are unbeaten in their last two league matches, and since half of their victories this season have come on the road, they’d be going to the Sincil Bank Stadium hopeful of getting some kind of result.  

With recent news of star man and midfield maestro Jorge Grant claiming he is “very happy” at the Imps, fans will be hopeful that Appleton can tie down Grant to extend his contract further, as it expires this summer. The 26-year-old leads the way in terms of goals and assists with 17 contributions in all competitions this season. The Lincoln boss hopes they can get the contract over the line by the end of the month.  

Although their home form has been poor as of recent time, this game will hopefully be a turning point as they bid to go top of League One, having collected ten points out of their last 12 possible.  

An away trip to Hull is only a couple of weeks away, arguably the biggest fixture of their season, which either team must win. It is vital that the home side pick up the points in games like this against Northampton.  

However, being in a relegation battle, the Cobblers will be fighting for their life to get points on the board.