The Imps host Bradford City on Tuesday evening in a colossal fixture for both sides as they push for a place in the automatic promotion positions.
Bradford will be looking to regain ground on Lincoln after their defeat away to Huddersfield on Saturday. City had won at home to Burton two days earlier, opening up a six-point gap between the sides and dropping the Bantams to fourth after Bolton’s 91st-minute winner against Leyton Orient.
The Huddersfield result also saw Bradford suffer back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season, following their loss to Cardiff at home the previous weekend. In contrast, Lincoln extended their unbeaten league run to ten games with a hard-fought victory last Thursday night.
The significance of this match is clear. A Bradford win would reduce the gap to three points with a game still in hand, while a Lincoln victory would stretch the advantage to nine. It is one of the biggest games of the season for both clubs, the very definition of a six-pointer.
Bradford City Form
Bradford’s recent form represents a slight dip on their strong start to the campaign. From their last five matches, they have won two and lost three. While not alarming, it is a downturn, although the context matters. The defeats came against strong opposition, including away at Mansfield, who currently top the five-game form table, and at home to league leaders Cardiff. Most recently, they lost away at Huddersfield, who benefitted from a new-manager bounce in Liam Manning’s first game in charge. Huddersfield dominated that match and limited Bradford to just two shots on target, both low-quality chances.
Before the defeat at Mansfield, Bradford had won five of their previous six league games, underlining their quality at this level. Those victories came against Exeter, Plymouth, Reading, Wigan and Port Vale. While all were lower down the table, those fixtures are rarely straightforward.
There are several Bradford players to be aware of. Bobby Pointon is joint top league scorer with seven goals, alongside Antoni Sarcevic, who missed the Huddersfield game. Pointon’s output has slowed in recent weeks, with just two goals in his last ten appearances, and he has been substituted at half-time in two of his last three outings. Max Power has arguably been Bradford’s standout performer this season, contributing five assists and missing just one match. Their captain is a constant midfield presence and a key creative force. Joe Wright has also impressed at centre-back when fit, although injuries have disrupted his season.
Lincoln City Form
Through a battling performance and moments of Jack Moylan brilliance, City secured their first home win over Burton Albion in just over five years. It was a difficult contest in which Lincoln were not at their fluent best, with Burton making the game awkward throughout. Moylan’s two goals were both excellent, coming either side of clever movement and a finish from Brewers striker Jake Beesley.
The result extended Lincoln’s unbeaten league run to ten games, a record the Imps will be keen to protect. It also took the total number of home wins to ten, matching last season’s tally in its entirety and highlighting just how strong City have been at the LNER Stadium.
Moylan is clearly one to watch after his two-goal display, with his confidence continuing to grow. Freddie Draper has also maintained his strong form, becoming an increasing problem for League One defenders, and added an assist to another energetic performance in his most recent outing.
Team News
Lincoln’s bench could look very different on Tuesday compared to last Thursday. New signing Deji Elerewe is available for selection and will be keen to make an early impression. Ben House and Tom Bayliss could also return to the matchday squad for the first time since their injuries, with both now fully recovered. Oscar Thorn and Adam Jackson are nearing a return and are due to resume team training next week, but this match comes too soon for either. Josh Honohan is awaiting a scan, with further clarity on his fitness expected soon.
For Bradford, joint top scorer Antoni Sarcevic missed the Huddersfield game after playing 90 minutes against Cardiff and looks likely to remain unavailable. Will Swan was withdrawn at half-time against Cardiff and was not named in the squad for the Huddersfield match. Aside from those absences, there are no new injury concerns, although Bradford are short defensively following an injury to Baldwin last time out, with Byrne and Kelly also sidelined since New Year’s Day.
Bradford City predicted XI
Walker, Tilt, J Wright, Touray, T Wright, Metcalfe, Power, Nfeuville, Pointon, Kavanagh, Humphrys.
Previous Meetings
The meeting between the sides in October ended in a 0-0 draw. It was a close contest with chances at both ends, and while Lincoln may have edged it, there was little to separate the teams at Valley Parade.
The two meetings before that came in cup competitions. In August 2021, the Imps recorded a 3-0 away win in the EFL Trophy group stage, before a 5-0 victory away from home in the EFL Cup in September 2020.
Prior to those matches, the sides had not met for nine years, facing each other twice in early 2011 with both teams winning 2-1 away from home.
Prediction
This is a huge and intriguing fixture. Bradford may have more ground to make up, but Lincoln will be equally focused on securing all three points. City arrive in better form and have the advantage of playing at home.
Both sides are difficult to beat and comfortable without dominating possession. Lincoln average 41.7 percent possession, the lowest in the league, while Bradford sit slightly higher at 47.9 percent. How the balance of the ball falls could prove decisive.
My prediction is Lincoln 2-1 Bradford.