Preview: Lincoln City vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Lincoln City will look to claim their first win since November when they welcome Derby County to the LNER Stadium for Saturday's League One contest.

The visitors, who are currently sitting in third place, will have the chance to record a third consecutive league victory.

Match preview

© Reuters

After beginning his tenure with two wins in his first four games, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala has now seen his side go eight competitive matches without picking up a victory.

While they are still searching for their first win since November, the Imps may have taken confidence from last Saturday's result against Wycombe Wanderers.

They looked to be heading towards a fifth consecutive defeat when Dale Taylor gave Wycombe a first-half lead, but Ethan Erhahon proved to be Lincoln's hero, netting a 98th-minute equaliser to ensure that his side left Adams Park with a point.

Having played back-to-back away matches, Lincoln will now return to the LNER Stadium for their first home game of the new year.

After failing to win any of their last six home games in the third tier, the hosts go into Saturday's contest with hopes of claiming a home league victory for the first time since October 24.

© Reuters

Derby will travel to Lincolnshire in a positive mood after they scored a dramatic winner to record a narrow 3-2 victory over Burton Albion on Monday.

Tom Barkhuizen and James Collins netted a goal apiece to give their side a two-goal lead, before Burton mounted a fightback to restore parity with 25 minutes to go in regulation time.

Although they looked to have spurned the chance to claim all three points, there was to be one final twist, as Conor Hourihane scored a 93rd-minute winner to move Derby level on points with second-placed Peterborough United and one point adrift of Portsmouth, who have played a game more.

After picking up a narrow win at Pride Park, Derby will now focus on Saturday's league clash, where they will attempt to clinch a sixth consecutive away win.

The Rams have tended to enjoy success on their travels this season, having picked up 28 points from their 13 league road trips to leave them with the best away record in the division.

Team News

© Reuters

Lincoln are unable to call upon Lewis Montsma, Tyler Walker and Ben House due to injury, while Paudie O'Connor and Daniel Mandriou will miss out through suspension.

Luton Town loanee Joe Taylor is set to retain his place in the side following his debut last weekend, while fellow January addition Jack Moylan is expected to feature among the substitutes after coming off the bench to make his Lincoln bow against Wycombe.

Reece Hackett could also be given more minutes after returning from injury to make a late substitute appearance at Adams Park.

As for the visitors, Craig Forsyth and Martyn Waghorn are sidelined with calf problems, while Jake Rooney and Conor Washington are ruled out with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Ryan Nyambe is currently away on international duty with Namibia, but Korey Smith is closing in on a return to the matchday squad following a spell in the treatment room.

Derby boss Paul Warne could opt for consistency and select the same lineup that started Monday's 3-2 win over Burton.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup: Jensen; Mitchell, Jackson, Roughan; Sorensen, Bishop, Erhahon, Duffy; Hamilton; Draper, Taylor

Derby County possible starting lineup: Vickers; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Elder; Mendez-Laing, Bird, Hourihane, Barkhuizen; John-Jules, Collins

We say: Lincoln City 1-2 Derby County

Derby have won each of their last five away trips, and we think that they will continue that run of form against a Lincoln side that has lost four of their previous five matches.

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