Lincolnvs.Bristol Rovers

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers head into this encounter searching for the victory which may put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

With a playoff bid having fallen by the wayside, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala is hoping that his side can consolidate their mid-table spot over the remaining games.

That may prove easier said than done when just four league wins have been posted in their last 13 matches, two of each coming home and away.

Four defeats have come from their last six fixtures, albeit with each of them being by one-goal margins. Last time out, Lincoln went down 1-0 at leaders Birmingham City.

Having only succumbed to a penalty in the 71st minute, Skubala can take the positives from the performance at St Andrew's, particularly when they beat Crawley Town by a 4-1 scoreline four days earlier.

However, Lincoln return to the LNER Stadium with a record of just seven wins from 17 matches at their home ground in the league, losing on six occasions.

Meanwhile, Inigo Calderon continues to move Bristol Rovers away from the relegation zone having proven to be a shrewd appointment at the midway point of the campaign.

Although eight defeats have come from his 16 games in charge, the Spaniard has also earned six wins, including back-to-back triumphs over promotion contenders.

After a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town, the Pirates followed that up with a 3-2 success over Bolton Wanderers to move Rovers nine points clear of 21st place.

Nevertheless, Bristol Rovers have put together a dismal away record this season, winning just three times and only accumulating 11 points from their 18 such fixtures.

Lincoln City League One form:

L

W

L

L

W

L

Bristol Rovers League One form:

L

L

L

D

W

W

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Skubala may be prepared to select the same Lincoln XI that troubled Birmingham last time out.

Sam Clucas, Freddie Draper and Reece Hackett are all alternatives if alterations are considered, while youngster Joe Gardner is pushing for his first start of the season in attack.

Calderon may also take a similar approach when naming his Bristol Rovers starting lineup after their success over Bolton.

Isaac Hutchinson and Scott Sinclair are both different options in midfield and attack respectively, as is Lino Sousa in a wing-back role.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wickens; Jackson, O'Connor, Roughlan; McGrandles; Darikwa, Bayliss, House, Jefferies; Makama, Collins

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Ward; Wilson, Taylor, Swinkels; Senior, Butcher, Moore, Mola; Shaw; Martin, Sotiriou

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Bristol Rovers

With Lincoln having the freedom to push for all three points, we expect them to do just that. However, a draw would prove valuable to Bristol Rovers at this stage of the season, and an early goal could lead to the visitors defending that advantage.

Written by

Darren Plant

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