With seven games left of the National League, Danny Cowley’s Lincoln City are approaching the final run in as the title race hots up.
The Imps are top on goal difference with 82 points, with Tranmere second on the same amount of points, having played a game more.
With Tranmere still taking City all the way, we asked our sport journalists if the Imps will be able to win the title and seal promotion to League 2, their answers were quite one-sided.
Liam Gibbs: Yes
On paper, Tranmere have a very comfortable run in with five of their last seven at home, and it would be a major shock if anyone other than Forest Green or Aldershot took points off them – maybe except for Guiseley away as a potential banana skin.
The key for City will be winning their home games, which again look relatively comfortable on paper after Dagenham. If they can come away from tricky away trips at Eastleigh and Gateshead unscathed then they should lift the trophy at Southport at the end of the month
Dan Creese: Yes
Danny and Nicky Cowley have been astute in the transfer market, assembling a squad of sufficient depth and quality to combat the congested fixture schedule until the end of the month.
Lincoln’s home form has formed the backbone of their title charge and three of their last seven matches will take place at Sincil Bank. Backed by their passionate supporters, City will be looking to take maximum points from those encounters, putting them in pole position.
Their away matches also look relatively comfortable. They will contest a blend of sides struggling near the bottom and teams with very little to play for. Momentum will be key and City’s home form should give them a good platform to take sufficient points from their remaining away matches.
The Cowley’s look confident and look like they’ll crown a historic season with promotion to the Football League.
Elliot Hawkins: Yes
I can see it going down to the game of the season. It’s now a two-horse race but Tranmere’s determination to grab a last-minute winner against Sutton on Tuesday showed they’re not going to give up without a fight.
Lincoln have been through a lot this season, but I think the experiences they’ve had and the pressure they’ve been under will only help them in their last seven games. They haven’t got to play any other teams in the top eight so the fixture list has been kind to them.
I think they’ll need to win at least five of the seven to make sure, but the Cowley brothers know how to cope under pressure and I’m backing them to guide Lincoln back to the football league with the National League title under their belt.
James Williams: Yes
Lincoln have had their ‘blip’ (if you can even call it a blip!) and are playing well again… meanwhile Tranmere are just about winning matches – they’ve scraped past the likes of Chester, Wrexham and Sutton in recent weeks.
I think it’ll go down to the wire but ultimately it’ll be Lincoln City that win automatic promotion back to the Football League.
Ollie Collins: Yes
I think Lincoln are the strongest team in the league and will go on to take the National League title – they deserve it! They’ve shown that in recent weeks by beating Forest Green Rovers and Dagenham and Redbridge.
However, if Tranmere were to overtake City and take the automatic promotion spot, I can’t see City winning the play-offs because the players will be so distraught about not going up automatically, but hopefully that won’t be the case.
Sam Hewitt: Yes
Lincoln are favourites now, and they cannot afford to slip up in the run in. Tranmere really are in form but you would rather be chased than to be chasing.
But Cowley’s men have to be careful. They’ve shown great strength to overcome the likes of Forest Green and Dagenham but they have been poorer against the lower teams. They were shocking at Boreham Wood, and were held at Sutton too. It’s important that they get wins at Eastleigh and Gateshead, and Southport on the last day.
The Imps are favourites and I back them to go up, and they have the squad depth to do it.
Kieran Hymus: Yes
Lincoln have got the advantage and this is a team that have shown real mental toughness in the big games against promotion rivals.
However, it only takes one slip up to let Tranmere back into the running for promotion.
Having won their last five games the Rovers look like they will finish the season strong.
Therefore, Lincoln have to match them to be in with a chance of returning to the football league. I think it’ll go down to the wire but with Tranmere still to play Forest Green and Aldershot the Imps have the easier run-in on paper and I think 15 points should win them the title.
Danyal Khan: Yes
No brainer, of course they’ll win the title. They have the strongest team in the division, the best managerial duo in the league, and they show up against their rivals, which is why they’re in such a fantastic position already.
I expect Tranmere will take them to the last few games of the season, but there’s no doubt in my mind City will win the National League title, it’s just a matter of when.