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

Both sides failed to gain a victory last weekend, leaving each of them in the bottom half of the table.

Match preview

Having comfortably survived relegation following their promotion from League Two under Michael Duff's management, there were many fears regarding Cheltenham's League One status this time around after the former Burnley defender departed for Barnsley during the summer.

Duff's former coach Wade Elliott was chosen as his successor in his first permanent managerial role, and so far the 44-year-old has performed above expectations to guide the Robins to being five points clear of safety ahead of their test against Lincoln this weekend.

That gap could have been much greater, however, had they not fallen to defeat against Forest Green, who currently occupy the first relegation position, with Myles Peart-Harris's late strike handing them victory last time out.

Having landed successive victories prior to their trip to Nailsworth, Elliott will be calm about the defeat, but he will be hoping to see much more from his team in an offensive sense on home turf on Saturday, especially given that no side has scored fewer goals than his in League One so far this season.

Lincoln have not exactly been goal hungry themselves under former Liverpool defender Mark Kennedy, who replaced Michael Appleton in the Imps' managerial dugout in May earlier this year.

Their 0-0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend was their eighth stalemate in 10 home games in League One this season, although given that they won their other two matches at Sincil Bank, they have an unbeaten home record to be proud of.

Away from home they have been much more inconsistent, having sensationally won at Portman Road against the impressive league leaders Ipswich Town, before losing to the likes of Shrewsbury and Port Vale.

As such, Kennedy will be hoping for a positive result on Saturday, particularly as avoiding defeat could see them move into the top half of the table. However, the 46-year-old will be all too aware that it is likely to be a game of fine margins.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

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Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

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Lincoln City League One form:

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Lincoln City form (all competitions):

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Team News

Elliott made four changes for his side's thumping 4-0 win against Chelsea Under-21s in the Football League Trophy in midweek, with Charlie Brown hoping to retain his starting spot after bagging a brace.

Caleb Taylor should return at the heart of the defence, though, with Luke Southwood also likely to start in goal.

Kennedy, meanwhile, made five changes for his team's 4-2 win against Everton Under-21s, with Regan Poole starring from right wing-back by opening the scoring.

Both managers will have an in-form forward to call upon afte Jack Diamond shined bright by scoring twice against the Toffees' youngsters.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Long, Taylor, Freestone; Broom, Bonds, Sercombe, Williams; Brown; Nlundulu, May

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; O'Connor, Jackson, Walsh; Poole, Virtue, Sanders, Robson; Vernam, House, Diamond

We say: Cheltenham Town 0-0 Lincoln City

Despite both teams bagging four goals in the EFL Trophy in midweek, we expect a much cagier affair in League One on Saturday.

Both of these sides have been more impressive defensively than they have offensively this season, and we would not be surprised to see a goalless draw play out.

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