Blackpool v Lincoln betting tips: Play-off specialists have momentum
Blackpool v Lincoln betting tips: Play-off specialists have momentum
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Preview and odds for the League One play-off final
Blackpool have arguably been the League One team of the season in the second half of the campaign and the play-off specialists will hope to get their reward when they face Lincoln at Wembley.
The Tangerines are looking to get back to the Championship after a six-year absence and already hold the record for the most play-off promotions with five while Lincoln – managed by former Blackpool boss Michael Appleton – have not been in the second tier since relegation in 1961.
Sunday’s match is live on Sky Sports and kicks off at 3pm as we highlight a few potential Blackpool v Lincoln betting tips.
Blackpool v Lincoln match odds
Promotion was the last thing on Blackpool’s minds when they lost six of their opening nine games and were only off the foot of the table on goal difference at one stage.
Only six more defeats have followed since then and a 16-match unbeaten run from February to April saw them surge up the table.
They ended the regular season with four straight wins, all without conceding a goal, to finish third before a 3-0 victory at Oxford put them in charge of their play-off semi-final and a 3-3 home draw secured their trip to Wembley.
That form sees Blackpool priced up as the 5/4 favourites to win in 90 minutes but Lincoln have already defied the odds to get past Sunderland in the semi-finals, having ended the season three points below Blackpool in fifth.
Lincoln’s recent form has been less impressive with just one win from their last five matches of the regular season and they are 23/10 underdogs, with 11/5 on offer for the match to go to extra time.
The two meetings between these teams this season produced plenty of entertainment and neutrals will hope for more of the same on Sunday.
The first was at Bloomfield Road in October when Lincoln twice came from behind to earn a 3-2 win, helped by the 84th-minute dismissal of Blackpool defender James Husband when the hosts were 2-1 up.
Blackpool looked set to gain revenge at Sincil Bank in April when they took a two-goal lead but Lincoln again finished strongly and rescued a 2-2 draw.
Both teams to score on Sunday can be backed at 20/23 while Lincoln are 16/1 to win from behind, with Blackpool 12/1 in the same market.
Forwards Jerry Yates and Ellis Simms are likely to play important roles if Blackpool come out on top.
Yates has scored 23 goals this season while Simms has reached double figures despite only arriving on loan from Everton in January.
Lincoln will hope to win the midfield battle and Conor McGrandles could have a key role, having come off the bench at half-time in the second leg against Sunderland to help turn the tie in his side’s favour.
Tom Hopper headed in the decisive goal at the Stadium of Light and will be vital at set-pieces at both ends of the pitch.
