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

The Imps currently occupy a mid-table position, while the Tykes are still harbouring hopes of winning promotion from League One after winning their last two games.

Match preview

After losing their final three matches in March, Lincoln have enjoyed greater success in April, drawing 1-1 with promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday before going on to secure three consecutive victories.

Cheltenham Town and Plymouth Argyle were both dispatched by a 2-0 scoreline prior to Saturday's five-goal thriller against Port Vale.

The Imps took the lead through Lasse Sorensen, but the game quickly swung in Port Vale's favour when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was given his marching orders before Matty Taylor and Daniel Butterworth both found the net for the Valiants.

However, Lincoln levelled before half time through Ben House after Port Vale were also reduced to ten men with Tom Conlon's red card, and there was to be more drama in the second half when Sam Robinson was dismissed, giving the Imps the belief needed to score a late winner against their nine-man opponents.

Mark Kennedy's side finished the weekend in 12th place, and they will be looking to at least maintain their current position, which would represent a respectable top-half finish.

Barnsley have bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion to record consecutive victories as they look to secure promotion to the Championship.

After beating Shrewsbury Town, the Tykes cruised to a 5-1 away victory over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday thanks to an Adam Phillips brace, as well as a strike from Slobodan Tedic, James Norwood and Devante Cole.

While the result confirmed Forest Green's relegation to League Two, it also kept Barnsley in the hunt for automatic promotion with four points separating them from the top two.

Although the Tykes have lost two of their last three away games, they have tended to fare well on their travels, having picked up 35 points from their 21 away league matches - only Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town have collected more points on the road in League One.

Barnsley may be concerned by the fact that they have lost to Lincoln in both the EFL Trophy and the league this season, but with wins required to keep them in the promotion race, they will be hoping that it is third-time lucky on Tuesday.

Lincoln City League One form:

L

L

D

W

W

W

Barnsley League One form:

W

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Lincoln may be unable to call upon the services of Teddy Bishop, who has missed the club's last two matches with a hamstring issue.

Rushworth is suspended for Tuesday's encounter after being sent off against Port Vale, and the goalkeeper will be replaced in the side by Jordan Wright.

Although Kennedy will be forced into a change in goal, he is expected to select the same 10 outfield players that started on Saturday.

As for the visitors, Michael Duff has the majority of his squad available to him, although long-term absentees Matty Wolfe and Conor McCarthy remain sidelined.

Nicky Cadden will serve the second game of a three-match suspension, ensuring that Ziyad Larkeche will continue to deputise in his absence.

Despite coming off the bench to score in the 5-1 victory over Forest Green, Cole is set to remain among the substitutes, with Duff expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wright; Poole, Jackson, O'Connor; Sorensen, Erhahon, Virtue-Thick, Boyes; Shodipo, Mandroiu, House

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Isted; B. Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Larkeche; Tedic, Norwood

We say: Lincoln City 1-2 Barnsley

Lincoln have proven to be a tough team to beat on home turf this season, winning six, drawing 13 and losing just one of their 20 home league games.

However, Barnsley boast the third best away record in the division, and we think that they have the quality in their squad to inflict a second home league defeat upon the Imps.

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