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

Lincoln City play host to Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon searching for the win that will keep the club in the playoff race.

At a time when the home side sit in 12th place in the League One table, Cambridge remain eight points adrift of safety despite their recent improvements.

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Match preview

Michael Skubala may have been fearing for his job in the Lincoln dugout until his side started to show improvement in recent weeks.

After a run of just one league victory in 11 matches, Lincoln have since collected eight points from their last five encounters in the third tier.

As well as posting wins over Northampton Town and Peterborough United, draws have been earned against Stevenage and Wigan Athletic.

Now just five points adrift of sixth place, Skubala and his squad are back in contention for a surprise playoff spot, yet they cannot rest on their laurels.

The biggest plus to take from the aforementioned five-game period is just four goals being conceded, still only giving Lincoln the 11th-best defensive record in the division.

Meanwhile, the Cambridge hierarchy continue to show faith in Garry Monk despite having recently dropped down to the bottom of the standings.

That was largely a consequence of a five-game losing streak, yet five points have since been collected from their most recent four fixtures.

Either side of a 3-2 triumph over Mansfield Town, impressive draws have been recorded against Bolton Wanderers and Wycombe Wanderers.

The late equaliser versus the division's second-placed side last time out has retained some momentum, yet Cambridge are now eight points away from safety.

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Team News

Ben House is among several players who are in contention for a recall to the Lincoln XI.

Conor McGrandles may also get the nod ahead of Ethan Erhahon in midfield, while Nottingham Forest loanee Joe Gardner is an option to be named on the substitutes' bench.

Meanwhile, Monk may be prepared to select the same Cambridge XI that started the 1-1 draw with Wycombe.

Ben Stevenson and Elias Kachunga appear most likely to be recalled if Monk opts to introduce some fresher legs.

With goalkeeper Nathan Bishop having arrived from Sunderland on transfer deadline day, Jack Stevens could drop out of the side.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup: Jeacock; Jackson, O'Connor, Roughan; McGrandles; Darikwa, Hamilton, Bayliss, Jefferies; House, Collins

Cambridge United possible starting lineup: Bishop; Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Bennett, Stevenson, Cousins, Brophy; Stokes; Loft, Kachunga

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We say: Lincoln City 2-1 Cambridge United

After their surprise point versus Wycombe, Cambridge will be on a high heading into this fixture. Nevertheless, we are backing Lincoln to come through in a hard-fought fixture, boosting their top-six hopes in the process.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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