Preview: Lincoln City vs AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Lincoln City play host to AFC Wimbledon on Good Friday knowing that victory could be enough to confirm promotion to the Championship for 2026-27.

At a time when the home side sit top of the League One table, AFC Wimbledon are in 14th spot and require a victory to remain as rank outsiders to make a late playoff bid.

Match preview

Despite long being viewed as the underdogs to Cardiff City for the League One title, Lincoln have reached this point in the season where they deserve to be viewed as the EFL team of the season.

A record-breaking 22-match unbeaten streak has left the Imps with a seven-point advantage at the top of the standings, while Bolton Wanderers need 19 points from seven games to have any chance of denying Lincoln their first promotion to the second tier of English football since the early sixties.

Taking everything into consideration, their target should be achieved on Friday or Easter Monday, capping a quite remarkable campaign for Michael Skubala and his squad.

The 3-0 victory over Rotherham United on March 21 made it seven wins in eight games, while Lincoln have also posted 15 triumphs from 20 games at the LNER Stadium.

Furthermore, 46 goals have been scored across that period. with Lincoln now possessing the best attacking record in the division having found the back of the net on 74 occasions.

© Imago

In sharp contrast, AFC Wimbledon make the trip to Lincoln on a four-match streak without a win.

Defeats have been posted at Stevenage, Leyton Orient and Stockport County, their only point during that period coming in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United.

Trailing sixth place by 11 points with a match in hand, the Dons are realistically out of the playoff race, but Johnnie Jackson will continue to push his team to achieve the highest position possible in their first year back in the third tier.

There is still the matter of guaranteeing their status in this division, with AFC Wimbledon seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Although AFC Wimbledon have lost 10 of their 20 away games this season, they bizarrely have the eighth-best record on their travels with 22 points coming from their other 10 such contests.

Lincoln City League One form:

AFC Wimbledon League One form:

Team News

© Imago

Lincoln midfielder Ivan Varfolomeev will be assessed ahead of this contest having been on international duty with Ukraine Under-21s.

While Ryan One has also been away with Scotland Under-21s, the playmaker is likely to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Adam Reach and Freddie Draper remain as injury doubts for the Imps.

Jackson is expected to make alterations to his AFC Wimbledon side, with Nathan Asiimwe potentially returning at right wing-back.

Patrick Bauer may feature in the back three, while Antwoine Hackford could be considered for a rare start in attack.

The likes of Myles Hippolyte, Marcus Browne and Matty Stevens are all expected to remain sidelined through injury.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, Bradley, Towler; McGrandles, Varfolomeev; Hackett, Moylan, House; Street

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

McDonnell; Ogundere, Bauer, Johnson; Asiimwe, Reeves, Smith, Nelson, Seddon; Hackford, Bugiel

We say: Lincoln City 3-0 AFC Wimbledon

Such is their dominant position at the top of League One, we do not expect nerves to become a factor for Lincoln. Therefore, expect another convincing performance in front of their supporters, who will hope to be celebrate a long-awaited return to the second tier come full time.

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