Preview: Lincoln City vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Portsmouth, meanwhile, will have the chance to claim consecutive victories after beating Burton Albion 1-0 in midweek.

Match preview

Although Lincoln have won only two of their last 11 league games, they are unbeaten in their previous five outings in League One.

After playing out two straight goalless draws, the Imps recorded consecutive wins over Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers, before they took a point from their midweek meeting with Derby County.

Olamide Shodipo gave Lincoln the lead before half time, but Mark Kennedy's side were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Ben House was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Imps were unable to prevent Derby from equalising through Conor Hourihane, but they managed to hold on to claim a point, ensuring that they remain in 13th place.

Lincoln's home record makes for remarkable reading as they have won three and drawn 11 of their 14 league matches at the LNER Stadium this season, and as the only side yet to lose a home game in the third tier, they will be aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact on Saturday.

Portsmouth returned to winning ways in midweek after they endured a three-game winless run, which comprised of defeats to Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle either and a 1-1 draw against Barnsley.

Tuesday's home meeting appeared to be heading towards a frustrating goalless draw until Dane Scarlett snatched all three points with a 93rd-minute winner.

Pompey currently occupy 10th position, and with 12 points separating them from the top six, mounting a serious playoff push may be out of their reach.

John Mousinho, who was appointed Portsmouth boss in January, will still be keen for his side to achieve a top-half finish, and he will be targeting a second straight victory on Saturday.

The visitors are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Lincoln, and they will be looking to replicate the 3-0 victory that they recorded in their most recent away game against the Imps in November 2021.

Lincoln City League One form:

L

D

D

W

W

D

Lincoln City form (all competitions):

L

D

D

W

W

D

Portsmouth League One form:

W

W

L

D

L

W

Team News

Lincoln could bring Luke Plange into the starting lineup to replace House, who will serve a one-match suspension.

Plange is expected to be joined in the front three by Jack Diamond and Shodipo, and the latter will be hoping to find the net again after scoring his first goal for the club on Tuesday.

After starting the last three games for Lincoln, Lewis Montsma will continue to feature in a back three alongside Adam Jackson and Paudie O'Connor.

As for the visitors, they are without the services of Jay Mingi, Clark Robertson, Ronan Curtis, Zach Swanson and Tom Lowery.

Marlon Pack and Di'Shon Bernard both missed the midweek victory over Burton with injury issues, and they remain doubts for Saturday's contest.

Joe Rafferty will retain his place in the side after he returned from a spell on the sidelines to play the duration of Tuesday's match.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Montsma, Jackson, O'Connor; Poole, Bishop, Erhahon, Roughan; Diamond, Shodipo, Plange

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Macey; Rafferty, Raggett, Towler, Ogilvie; Morrell, Thompson, Lane; Dale, Scarlett, Bishop

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Portsmouth

Lincoln are yet to lose a home game in League One this season, but they have had a habit of drawing games with 11 of their 14 home league matches ending all square, and we think that they could be involved in another draw on Saturday.

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