Lincoln City vs Crewe Predictions

It has been a fantastic start to the season for Lincoln and they deservedly sit on top of the League Two table. However, the team lost in midweek away at Tranmere and need to respond accordingly in this match. Lincoln had dominated the first half but Tranmere came out on top in the second, scoring through prolific striker James Norwood and holding on for an impressive 1-0 win. It is up to Lincoln to pick themselves up from this setback and carry on.

They have been in brilliant form for most of the season, passing through some tough hurdles on the way to the summit. They have beaten promotion contenders in MK Dons, Exeter, Bury, Swindon, and Notts County, showing that they do turn up and perform in the big matches when required. Moreover, in several games, such as the ones against MK Dons and Bury, they have overturned a deficit into a win, a true hallmark of champions.

The team is spearheaded by striker John Akinde, who moved in the summer and has settled in nicely, scoring four goals and grabbing three assists already. Moreover, Michael Bostwick and Jason Shackell have been leaders at the back, with Shackell getting the winner in consecutive matches against Macclesfield and MK Dons. Despite this, their two losses in the league have come in the last five matches, so they will have to be wary not to slip to defeat again in this short time period.

In contrast, Crewe Alexandra have experienced a season with more negatives than positives, sitting 17th in the table but with a game in hand. A  highlight of the season was achieved in their most recent match. The team beat a strong Swindon side at home 1-0, with Charlie Kirk getting his third of the season, and Crewe looking the better side, to secure a crucial three points.

However, they had under performed in the games leading up to that, losing to Notts County and Port Vale, as well as being held to a goalless draw away at Cheltenham. In addition to those defeats, they were also beat by Newport, whilst Crewe’s worst result came away at Colchester, in which they were demolished 6-0. It seems that away from home, Crewe simply crumble, scoring only one goal away from home in the league this year. That is unacceptable and could come back to haunt them later in the season.

Crewe’s home form, luckily for them, is solid. They opened the season with a 6-0 victory against Morecambe, whilst also beat Macclesfield 3-0 on home turf and drew with MK Dons. They look a different outfit when in their own ground and have talented attackers in Jordan Bowery and Charlie Kirk, who have scored three goals each this season. If they can replicate their home performances on the road, they should be safe.

However, against the league leaders Lincoln, Crewe are up against it to get a result. We don’t think the visitors in this game will be able to get anything, with Lincoln looking for a big response to the defeat against Tranmere and Crewe being so poor away from home. However, whilst unlikely, the away side could grab a goal if Lincoln start off reserved after that defeat. Indeed, we don’t think it will happen but as an insurance, backing Lincoln to Win and Over 2.5 Goals covers a potential Crewe goal to shock Lincoln into life. Despite this, we think Lincoln will come out 3-0 winners in what should be a comfortable match.