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

Match preview

Lincoln head into Saturday's clash on a seven-game winless run in the league, having registered four draws and three losses since getting the better of Morecambe back in November.

Despite seeing less than 30% of the ball last weekend, the Imps managed to hold MK Dons to a goalless draw in Milton Keynes, meaning they have now drawn three of their previous four league outings.

When you look at the bigger picture, Lincoln have drawn 12 of their 25 League One games this season, making them the division's draw specialists, as most sides remain in single figures for draws.

Kennedy's men can take confidence from the fact that only six teams have suffered fewer defeats this season, but it is also worth noting that only five sides have scored fewer goals than Lincoln.

Having managed to win just one of their last 11 league games - registering six draws and four losses in the process - the Imps are in real danger of getting dragged into a relegation battle.

When Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink left his post at the Pirelli Stadium back in September, Burton were rooted to the foot of the League One table, having taken just one point from a possible 21.

Following Hasselbaink's resignation, assistant manager Dino Maamria was placed in charge of first-team matters, but the former Oldham Athletic boss has failed to lift the club out of the drop zone.

The Brewers have only managed to win five of their 19 league games since Maamria took over, recording six draws and eight losses along the way, so they remain a solitary point above last-placed Forest Green Rovers.

It is no surprise that Burton find themselves second from bottom in the standings, as they hold the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 54 goals in 26 games this season.

Maamria's side were thrashed 5-0 by Morecambe on New Year's Day before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Shrewsbury Town last weekend, meaning they head to Lincoln in dire straits.

Lincoln City League One form:

D

L

D

D

L

D

Lincoln City form (all competitions):

L

D

D

L

L

D

Burton Albion League One form:

D

L

W

W

L

L

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

L

Team News

Lincoln are still without Dutch centre-back Lewis Montsma, who looks set to remain on the sidelines for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Regan Poole and Paudie O'Connor have featured in every minute of League One action for the Imps this season, so they will line up in front of on-loan goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who has starred since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Burton, meanwhile, remain without long-term injury absentee William Kokolo, while Louis Moult is expected to be sidelined until March due to an ankle issue.

Only two players have scored more League One goals than Victor Adeboyejo this season, so the ex-Barnsley striker should lead the line for the Brewers, despite having fired four straight blanks in all competitions.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Poole, Jackson, O'Connor, Boyes; Sorensen, Sanders; Bishop, Mandroiu, Diamond; Hopper

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Amissah; Hamer, Brayford, Ndaba, Borthwick-Jackson; Oshilaja, Taylor; Smith, Helm, Kamwa; Adeboyejo

We say: Lincoln City 2-0 Burton Albion

Having conceded nine goals without reply across their previous two league games, Burton look set to suffer another disappointing defeat this weekend.

Given that Lincoln are among the division's lowest scorers, we are not likely to see a flurry of goals at LNER Stadium, but the hosts should cruise to a comfortable clean-sheet victory.

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