Cheltenhamvs.Lincoln

The visitors currently find themselves just outside the playoff positions, with both teams desperate to win points for different reasons.

Match preview

With three matches remaining this season, time is starting to run out for Cheltenham in their quest to retain their League One status after a torrid season.

The Robins currently trail Burton Albion by two points. Still, considering they have a game in hand on most of the teams directly above the relegation zone, there is plenty of hope for fans to cling onto.

Darrell Clarke's men ended a four-match losing run in midweek by defeating the Brewers in a classic six-pointer they could not afford to lose, but they had to battle from behind to make it happen.

After conceding right before the end of the first half, Cheltenham came out fighting, with goals from Matty Taylor and Curtis Davies securing a crucial victory in the relegation battle.

However, this weekend will be a completely different test as they face a team fighting to earn promotion to the Championship, which they were defeated by earlier on in this campaign.

Lincoln won the previous meeting between these teams 2-0, with a Lasse Sorensen brace being enough to separate the teams. A repeat of that result would give the Imps a major boost in their promotion hopes.

Michael Skubala's men currently sit two points out of the playoff positions, and while the situation is ultimately out of their hands, the team will be aiming to put as much pressure on those above them as possible.

There is no room for error in the final two matches of the season, as the Imps need to pounce on any potential mistakes made by either Barnsley or Oxford United to ensure they make the most of the situation.

Despite a recent slip-up against Wigan Atheltic, Lincoln has proven to be incredibly consistent as they have only lost once in 18 matches, which is a run Skubala will want to continue in the final stretch of this campaign.

A penalty from Daniel Mandroiu proved to be enough in midweek to defeat Oxford in a crucial match between two teams in the mix at the top of the division, and that should have injected plenty of belief heading into this weekend.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

W

L

L

L

L

W

Lincoln City League One form:

W

W

W

D

L

W

Team News

Rob Street is confirmed to miss the remainder of the season for Cheltenham because of a knee issue, while Tom Bradbury is also on the shelf.

Taylor scored his fifth goal of the season for the Robins in midweek since joining in January, and he should retain his place in the team.

Lincoln will be without Dylan Duffy this weekend after he had a substitute appearance to forget in midweek when he came on, only to be sent off before the end of the game.

Freddie Draper was brought into the team in midweek for the Imps to bolster the attacking options, and with another three points needed, Skubala could opt to repeat that.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Smith, Davies, Shepherd; Long, Pett, Bonds, Ferry; Sercombe; Taylor, Lloyd

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Mitchell, O'Connor, Roughan; Sorensen, Moylan, Erhahon, Mandroiu, House; Draper, Taylor

We say: Cheltenham Town 0-2 Lincoln City

With so much on the line for both teams this weekend it is likely to be quite a closely contested and cagey game, with neither team wanting to give too much of an advantage away.

However, the strong run of form that Lincoln has displayed in the second half of the season should see them through here, with their quality likely being too much for the hosts.

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