Lincolnvs.Charlton

The Imps head into the weekend in ninth place in League One, while the visitors are four points behind in 13th position.

Match preview

After winning their final two league games in October, Lincoln were sitting in fifth position with 24 points to their name after 13 matches.

However, their top-six push has been setback with a five-game winless run, leaving them four points adrift of the League One playoffs.

They began that run of poor league form with consecutive draws, before they fell to three straight defeats against Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham and Rotherham United.

Jovon Makama netted his second goal of the season to cancel out Sam Nombe's opener in Tuesday's away clash with Rotherham, only for Sean Raggett to score a 77th-minute winner to condemn the Imps to a 2-1 defeat, extending their winless away league run to six matches.

Michael Skubala's side will now return to the LNER Stadium, where they have recorded three victories in their last five home league matches.

Charlton will be frustrated with their current position in the League One table, with the Addicks sitting in the bottom half and eight points adrift of the playoffs after winning six, drawing four and losing seven of their 17 league matches.

The Addicks have found wins hard to come by in recent times, having won just one of their previous seven league games (D3, L3).

That solitary victory took place at the end of last month when they bounced back from consecutive league defeats to clinch a narrow 1-0 victory over basement side Burton Albion.

However, the Addicks were unable to build upon that result in their midweek home outing against Crawley Town, conceding the decisive goal in the 80th minute as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at The Valley, extending their winless home run to three league games.

The first goal could be crucial if Charlton are to return to winning ways because they have won all six league games in which they have scored this season.

Lincoln City League One form:

W

D

D

L

L

L

Lincoln City form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

W

L

Charlton Athletic League One form:

D

D

L

L

W

L

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

W

L

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Lewis Montsma, Tom Bayliss and Tom Hamer due to their respective injury issues.

Adam Jackson has been ruled out after sustaining a facial injury against Rotherham, while Ben House picked up a knock in midweek and is now a doubt for Saturday's fixture.

Tendayi Darikwa picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in midweek, meaning he will now have to serve a one-match suspension.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Kayne Ramsay, Chuks Aneke and Zach Mitchell.

Charlton captain Greg Docherty is available following a three-match suspension, along with midfielder Luke Berry, who has completed a one-game ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Karoy Anderson will have to be assessed after he sat out the midweek defeat to Crawley due to a hamstring issue.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wickens; Jefferies, O'Connor, Roughan, Hamilton; Moylan, Erhahon, McGrandles; Makama, Ring, Draper

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Maynard-Brewer; Edmonds-Green, Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Taylor, Coventry, Docherty; Godden; Leaburn, Ahadme

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Written by

Ben Sully

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