This Friday, December 26, Stockport County will host Lincoln at 15:00 UTC at Edgeley Park, the club’s historic ground nestled amid the post-industrial terraces that echo the town’s roots in hat-making and the former coal mining communities of Greater Manchester. With the sun expected to shine and temperatures reaching a crisp 38°F, fans can anticipate a brisk, bright afternoon where the crowd’s passionate chants—reminiscent of the town’s unwavering spirit through industrial shifts—will fuel a lively contest. Their last League One meeting on April 26 saw Stockport edge Lincoln 3-2 in a tightly contested encounter, reflecting a style marked by quick transitions and a willingness to press high up the pitch—a hallmark that has become central to the club’s identity in recent seasons.

Stockport County, perched fifth in the League One standings with 35 points from 20 games, have crafted a steady rhythm in recent fixtures, not through flashy flair but measured control and calculated pressure, typical of the northern grit seen in many Stockport and Greater Manchester sides; they’ve netted six goals in five matches, reflecting a pragmatic approach where linking midfield play meets quick transitions, and their crowd at Edgeley Park feeds off this steady pulse, often spurring them as they shape chances. Their 2-1 win over Mansfield last time out featured R. Sweeney’s sharp finish, and with K. Wootton back to full fitness—already on eight goals—County blend patient build-up with moments of incisive strike. Against comparable opposition this season, they balance goal exchanges evenly, suggesting a focus on tactical solidity rather than high-risk gambles. Their consistent tempo and adaptability embody the no-nonsense football ingrained in this region, built on disciplined structure and smart game reading rather than

Lincoln’s recent trips haven’t gone to plan, with two defeats and a couple of draws picking away from home over the last five matches, though they have found the net six times in those games. Against sides close to them in the table this year, they’ve remained unbeaten, claiming two wins and a draw while conceding just one goal in three outings. Sitting second with 38 points from 21 games, their campaign features 11 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses. George Wickens, guarding the goal, has been a consistent barrier on the road, keeping clean sheets in nine of 13 away fixtures. As they prepare to face their next challenge, Lincoln will look to blend their scoring touch with a steadfast defensive effort that has served them well against comparable opponents.

Recent clashes between Stockport County and Lincoln City have unfolded with an average of four goals per game over their last two meetings, suggesting an open contest where both defences have been tested. Across 14 encounters, Stockport have edged five victories and shared four draws, while Lincoln have matched them with five wins of their own. This balance hints at a fixture that often swings unpredictably, with moments of attack breaking down into tight exchanges. Expect a match where each side probes carefully before committing, aware that history shows no clear dominance but a competitive sparring grounded in mutual familiarity.

With 38 points on the board, Lincoln find themselves poised to overtake Cardiff and claim the summit of the League One table, a prospect that carries the kind of weight a Stockport derby victory holds for locals who know the sting and surge such moments bring. Their play, often marked by quick, probing movements along the flanks reminiscent of a nimble climber scaling the sandstone edges of the Peak District, presses with unsettling ambition; the crowd’s roar rises and falls like the bustling exchanges at Mersey Square, reflecting the team's swift transitions and urgent intent to carve open defences. As they chase this pivotal target, their forward momentum tightens, cleats digging in as if on the muddy terraces of Edgeley Park, signaling a shift from cautious buildup to an assertive charge that could well see the goals flow, tipping the balance with the same measured yet relentless force that defines our Mancunian neighbors’ city pace, suggesting that this Lincoln side isn’t just playing for points—they’re scripting a