Preview: Lincoln City vs Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Sincil Bank will play host to an intriguing match on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 League One campaign, as Lincoln City and Reading lock horns.

The hosts finished 11th in League One last season, while Reading were seventh, with the Royals missing out on the playoffs by three points, so a promotion challenge will again be on their minds this term.

Match preview

Lincoln boasted a record of 16 wins, 13 draws and 17 defeats from their 46 league matches last season, with a total of 61 points leaving them 11th in the table, 17 points behind sixth-placed Leyton Orient.

The Imps have never played in the Championship, so it would be some achievement for them to earn promotion to the second tier, and this will be their seventh straight campaign in League One.

Michael Skubala's side played six pre-season friendlies, winning three and drawing three, and they will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting 4-2 success over Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

Lincoln have only made two signings this summer, with Sonny Bradley arriving from Derby County on a free transfer, while Ryley Towler has made the move from Portsmouth.

There have been a whole host of outgoings, though, including Ethan Erhahon, with the midfielder joining fellow League One side Bolton Wanderers in a deal worth around £745,000.

Reading, meanwhile, finished seventh in League One last season, boasting a record of 21 wins, 12 draws and 13 defeats from 46 matches to collect 75 points, which left them three points off the playoffs.

The Royals have spent the last two seasons in League One, finishing 17th in 2023-24, and they will be expecting to challenge for a return to the Championship for the 2026-27 campaign.

Noel Hunt's side will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 defeat to Portsmouth in their final friendly of the summer, and they only managed to triumph in one of their pre-season contests.

Reading have been much busier than Lincoln in terms of incomings this summer, with Liam Fraser and Paudie O'Connor among those to join, while there have also been three arrivals on loan, including Finley Burns from Manchester City.

The Royals lost both league matches against Lincoln during the 2024-25 campaign, including a 2-0 reverse when the two teams locked horns in December 2024.

Lincoln City pre-season form:

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Reading pre-season form:

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Team News

Lincoln's XI will have a similar look to last season, but there are expected to be two debutants at the back, with Bradley and Towler again set to be in the side.

James Collins scored 10 times in 20 appearances for the club during the 2024-25 campaign, and there is again set to be a spot in the final third of the field for the 33-year-old.

Meanwhile, Ben House, Reeco Hackett and Erik Ring are also set to feature in the attacking quartet.

As for Reading, there are expected to be a number of debutants, including Burns, with the 22-year-old a highly-rated defender on loan from Man City.

O'Connor is also set for a spot in the middle of the defence, while there is likely to be a spot in the final third of the field, potentially in the number 10 position, for Daniel Kyerewaa.

Harvey Knibbs was in excellent form last season, scoring 16 times in all competitions, and the 25-year-old will be in the XI, while there will also be a spot for Lewis Wing.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wickens; Darikwa, Bradley, Towler, Hamer; Hamilton, McGrandles; Hackett, House, Ring; Collins

Reading possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Yiadom, Burns, O'Connor, Garcia; Elliott, Wing, Knibbs; Rushesha, Kyerewaa, Ehibhatiomhan

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Reading

Lincoln got the better of Reading last season, but we are finding it hard to separate the two sides on this occasion, with a tight match potentially finishing all square.

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