City host Burton Albion this Thursday evening (that feels weird to type) as we look to extend our unbeaten league run to ten games, writes Kyle Fox.
Gary Bowyer’s men will head up to Sincil Bank in the hope of continuing their recent upturn in form. After back-to-back convincing wins in the league and the FA Cup respectively, they will be confident of causing an upset. Alternatively, Lincoln will be focused on maintaining their excellent home form, a huge factor in why they currently sit second in the table.
It is a big game for both sides: Burton are looking to create more of a gap from the bottom four, while the Imps aim to put more distance between themselves and Bradford, and also close the gap on Cardiff. Also, with a win in this fixture, City can put pressure on their promotion rivals who play each other in Saturday’s early kick-offs. With Cardiff facing Stockport at home alongside Huddersfield hosting Bradford, it gives Lincoln a big opportunity to capitalise.
Burton Albion Form
The Brewers have been in fairly good form at home as of late. After being comfortably beaten at home by Leyton Orient on 29th November, they have played four more home matches. Winning twice, drawing once and losing once. They put five past Northampton and most recently beat Huddersfield 3-1, while the draw was a stalemate against Wycombe and the defeat came at the hands of Wigan, where Burton were beaten 2-0.
However, their recent away form leaves much more to be desired (I can feel another 1-0 defeat coming off the back of writing this). After a huge 2-1 win away at Bradford at the start of November, they lost three and drew one of their next four away fixtures. The defeats came away at Wigan, Reading and Plymouth with Burton only registering two shots on target in each of those three matches. Their only draw came away at Stevenage in a game that ended 2-2. Burton have also beat Cardiff and Wimbledon away, although they also only had two shots on target in both of those games ironically. Stockport and Lincoln are the only teams currently in the top six that Burton have not beaten this season.
Burton’s main threat is striker Jake Beesley who has recently returned from injury. He is the club’s top goal scorer in the league with eight and is also their joint top assister with four. Another threat is wing-back Kyran Lofthouse, who has provided nine goal contributions in all competitions this season (two goals and seven assists). Meanwhile, goalkeeper Bradley Collins has been a standout performer for the Brewers throughout the campaign and is arguably their player of the season so far. He has prevented more goals than any other goalkeeper in League One, with a figure of 5.83 (the next highest being 3.80), and ranks second for saves per 90 minutes with 3.10.
Lincoln City Form
City continued their unbeaten run last Saturday with a solid point away at Luton Town who are currently in excellent home form. With Bradford losing at home to Cardiff, a three-point gap has opened up between Lincoln and Bradford in third place.
As mentioned, our home form is exceptional. With only one defeat all season in what was the definition of a ‘smash and grab’ by Exeter where Lincoln dominated all game and the away side snatched a winner in the 94th minute.
Freddie Draper is one to watch after scoring in each of his last two games. He is becoming more of a handful for League One defenders and those goals are evidence of his growing impact. Defender Tom Hamer has gone somewhat under the radar with his impressive performances recently. He has also contributed in an attacking sense, complementing his defensive work with a goal and two assists in his last four games.
Team News
The main change for the Imps is new signing Alfie Lloyd, who is set to come straight in to the squad after completing his move on Monday. He will provide another option in the attacking areas for Michael Skubala after Justin Obikwu’s sudden recall from his loan with us and the ongoing long-term injury to James Collins. Tom Bayliss and Ben House (another forward option still missing) are closer to a return and are both training on the grass, but neither will make this game. Adam Jackson is slightly further behind in his recovery, while Oscar Thorn is still some way from regaining full fitness. There was no update this week on the fitness of new signing Josh Honohan.
Burton’s two recent victories have coincided with the return of two key players from injury. Captain Godwin-Malife started his first game since late November on Saturday, while striker Jake Beesley played his first game since New Year’s Day. Beesley marked his return with a goal and is Burton’s biggest threat by far in the continued absence of Charlie Webster, who is still currently out injured. Tyrese Shade, Finn Delap and James Jones will also miss out, while the other notable absentee is Lincoln loanee JJ McKiernan.
Burton predicted XI
Collins, Vancooten, Godwin-Malife, Sibbick, Lofthouse, Evans, Chauke, Williams, Armer, Adom, Beesley
Previous Meetings
The two teams have met frequently over the past few years. Burton have won all four of the most recent games at Sincil Bank- three times 1-0 and the other 1-2. However, Lincoln have won four out of the five most recent meetings, including both victories this season, all coming at the Pirelli stadium.
Lincoln are hoping to do the league double over Burton for the first time since the 19/20 season.
Prediction
This is another difficult game to predict. With Burton’s confidence high off the back of that Huddersfield victory they will be tough to beat. Lincoln’s home performances have been very impressive this season, but so have Bradford’s and Cardiff’s, who both lost at home to Burton.
I always have a bad feeling about this game simply due to recent results at home to Burton, but I’m going to say it will be different this time. My prediction is Lincoln 1-0 Burton.