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

Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley will battle it out for a place in the EFL Trophy semi-finals when they go head-to-head at the LNER Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts are winless in five games across all competitions, while Accrington have failed to win any of their last four matches.

Match preview

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Lincoln will hope to return to winning ways in the EFL Trophy following a poor spell of form in League One, where they have gone six games without a win

In Saturday's league meeting with Charlton Athletic, the Imps conceded two goals in the first half, and although Daniel Mandroiu halved the deficit in the 76th minute, they were unable to find a late equaliser.

As a result of the 2-1 defeat, Lincoln have failed to win any of their last five competitive matches since beating Everton Under 21s in the previous round of the EFL Trophy.

The Imps won their group to reach the last 16, where they came from 2-1 down to beat the Everton youngsters 4-2, sealing their place in the quarter-finals.

While 11 of Lincoln's 16 competitive home games this term have finished level after regulation time, they can draw confidence from the fact that they have only lost one home match this season.

Meanwhile, the EFL Trophy may come as a welcome distraction for Accrington, who currently sit in the League One relegation zone.

John Coleman's side have won only one of their last 12 league matches, and the mood in the dressing room would not have been improved by Saturday's 1-1 draw against National League side Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.

Ryan Astley's sixth-minute open looked to have set Accrington on their way to an away victory, but a 78th-minute equaliser from Lee Ndlovu ensured that the third-round tie would go to a replay, where the winner will play host to either Cardiff City or Leeds United.

Saturday's draw with Boreham Wood extended Accrington's winless run to four games in all competitions, although they did avoid a third consecutive away defeat.

They will now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy, and with a place in the semi-finals at stake, the visitors can take inspiration from an unbeaten four-game run in head-to-head matches with Lincoln - split evenly with two wins and two draws - although a repeat of the 1-1 scoreline from November's league meeting would send the tie to penalties.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Lewis Montsma and Matty Virtue due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Adam Jackson missed Saturday's defeat through suspension, but he will be available for the EFL Trophy quarter-final.

After coming on at half time against Charlton, Teddy Bishop could be presented with a place in the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, they have a lengthy injury list which includes Mitch Clark, Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Matt Lowe and Korede Adedoyin

Doug Tharme and David Morgan are also sidelined for Accrington, while Michael Nottingham and Mo Sangare are still three weeks away from returning to action.

After dropping down to the bench for Saturday's FA Cup draw with Boreham Wood, Rosaire Longelo could be brought back into the starting lineup.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

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

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Astley, Conneely, Rodgers; Perritt, Leigh, Coyle, Hamilton, Longelo; Whalley, Pressley

We say: Lincoln City 2-1 Accrington Stanley

While both sides are currently enduring poor spells of form, Lincoln have at least proven to be a tough team to beat on home turf this season.

In their last three EFL Trophy home games, Lincoln have won twice and drawn one match against Morecambe, who they subsequently beat on penalties to claim a bonus point in the group stage, and we think that the Imps will continue that positive run by claiming a narrow win over a depleted Accrington side.

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