Preview: Lincoln City vs. Ipswich Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Lincoln City will attempt to end a four-game winless run when they kick off 2023 with a home game against Ipswich Town on Monday.

While the hosts are currently sat in 15th place, the Tractor Boys occupy second position after losing only one of their last 10 matches in League One.

Match preview

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Lincoln have gone four league games without a victory after they rounded off 2022 with a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers despite taking the lead in the 10th minute.

Ben House gave his side the early advantage, but a second-half equaliser from Eoin Toal continued Lincoln's frustrating habit of drawing home matches.

Although the Imps are yet to lose a league game at the LNER Stadium this season, they have only managed to secure two victories, with nine of their 11 home matches in League One finishing all square.

After scoring two goals or more in only one of their last seven home league games, Lincoln boss Mark Kennedy will know that his players may be able to start converting draws into victories if they can improve in the final third.

Ahead of a difficult meeting with an Ipswich side chasing promotion, the Imps can draw confidence from the fact that they beat the Tractor Boys 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, Ipswich will be in a positive mood after they came from behind on two occasions to draw 2-2 in their away meeting with Portsmouth.

After Cameron Burgess equalised in the 11th minute to cancel out Marlon Pack's early opener, Colby Bishop restored Portsmouth's lead on the hour mark, but former Pompey player Conor Chaplin found the net in the 87th minute to secure his side a precious point.

Having lost only one of their previous 10 league matches, Ipswich currently sit in second position, although they are only ahead of third-placed Sheffield Wednesday on goals scored.

Ipswich are currently the highest scorers in the division with 46 goals from 24 games, but their 1-0 defeat to Lincoln in October represents one of the two games where they have failed to score in the league this season.

While the Tractor Boys have only picked up one point from their last two away matches, they currently boast the joint-best away record in the third tier alongside Sheffield Wednesday.

Team News

Adam Jackson could be brought into the back three to replace Joe Walsh, who will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences against Bolton.

Max Sanders dropped out of the side for Friday's 1-1 draw, but he could return to the lineup to partner Matthew Virtue in the centre of midfield.

House is expected to retain his place up front, and the forward will be looking to add to the six league goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Panutche Camara, who is sidelined due to an adductor injury.

After battling to a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth, Kieran McKenna could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Monday's contest.

With nine league goals to his name, Chaplin has top-scored for Ipswich this season, and he will attempt to score in a third straight game when he lines up against Lincoln on Monday.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Eyoma, Jackson, O'Connor; Poole, Virtue, Sanders, Roughan; Mandroiu, Diamond, House

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess; Burns, Evans, Morsy, Davis; Chaplin, Harness, Ladapo

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Ipswich Town

Although Lincoln may be frustrated with nine of their 11 home league games finishing all square, they can be pleased with the fact that they are still unbeaten at home in League One this season, and we think that they will maintain that record by playing out another draw on Monday.

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