Lincoln City‘s chances of earning promotion to the Championship have been calculated following an excellent first few months of the season.
The Imps have become one of the teams to watch in League One throughout 2024. They surged up the table at the turn of the new year, moving from the bottom half to the play-off places towards the end of the 2023/24 season. However, a final day defeat at the hands of champions Portsmouth saw them miss out on a top six finish.
This season has started in similar fashion. Michael Skubala’s team have lost just three times and currently sit sixth in the table after a 0-0 draw with Exeter City at the weekend. They head into this weekend’s clash with leaders Wycombe Wanderers on a run of four games without a defeat knowing a victory could see them move closer to the top two.
Is Automatic Promotion Out Of The Question?
Lincoln are four points behind Birmingham City in second and six behind Wycombe. A win over the Chairboys would cut that gap to just three, although both teams do possess games in hand. The financial might of Birmingham means they must be considered favourites, a view shared by data analysts Opta.
It is said that the East Midlands-based outfit have just a 6.84% chance of earning automatic promotion, although they have been tipped to finish fourth. A play-off place seems likely, with the calculations showing a 52.32% chance of a top six finish.
If the final league standings are to be believed, this would see Skubala lead his team into a two-legged tie with Barnsley, who are predicted to finish fifth. Despite their inconsistency, Bolton Wanderers are pencilled in for third whilst Huddersfield Town are said to pip Wrexham to the final play-off place.
Writer’s View
Lincoln have earned themselves a reputation of being one of the toughest teams to face in League One. This is a testament to the job which Michael Skubala has done since he arrived at the LNER Stadium last November and the transfer business they have undertook. A big part of their resurgence last season was the loan signing of Joe Taylor.
The striker’s return to Luton Town coupled with the departures of first team stars such as Danny Mandroiu and Teddy Bishop left many wondering if they could replicate that form. Smart signings and good use of their academy mean they look good value for their current league position and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them finish in the top six.
Head of Writing
