Match preview: festive clash at Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park will host a tasty League One encounter on December 26 as Stockport County welcome table-chasers Lincoln City in what promises to be an entertaining holiday fixture. Stockport arrive in solid rhythm, occupying fifth place with 35 points from 20 matches and a recent run that reads like a team hitting form at the right time — multiple wins in their last ten results, including a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at Mansfield on December 20 where Jack Diamond earned the match rating spotlight. Lincoln, sitting two places above at second with 38 points from 21 games, are no mugs either: a dependable side that has collected an impressive number of away points and arrives after a 2-1 success over Cardiff City.
Tactical feel and statistical edge
Numbers paint a picture of a close contest. Stockport have netted 28 goals and conceded 25 across the campaign, while Lincoln have been slightly more prolific with 30 scored and 22 conceded. At home Stockport’s attacking output shows 11 goals scored and 12 conceded — a side that can press and create chances, averaging nearly 12 shots per game. Lincoln’s away splits show ten goals on the road and 12 conceded, indicating they remain a threat but can be vulnerable when travelling.
Goal markets look balanced: Stockport home games show over 2.5 goals in 55% of matches, while Lincoln’s fixtures hit that line in about 47.6% of cases. Both teams have produced mixed BTTS results — Stockport home BTTS sits at 50% while Lincoln’s away BTTS is lower at 30% — suggesting this could be a contest where the home side’s attacking impetus is decisive and the away side’s defensive caution matters.
Form, recent meetings and momentum
In their most recent meeting earlier in the year Stockport edged Lincoln 3-2 — a reminder that these teams can produce high-scoring, competitive battles. Stockport’s December form, including the win at Mansfield and a penalty shootout victory in cup action, suggests confidence on home turf. Lincoln’s sequence of wins and draws on the road shows resilience but also occasional defensive lapses that Stockport will look to exploit at Edgeley Park.
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Betting suggestion After weighing home advantage, recent form and the bookmaker lines, the clearest value sits in the 1X2 market: back Stockport County to win at home. The market currently offers Stockport at 2.16 — the home side combine attacking intent with the Edgeley Park factor and a recent head-to-head win over Lincoln, making the single-selection 1 (Home) the preferred play for this fixture.
