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

Lincoln City and Stevenage meet in League One on Saturday afternoon with both clubs requiring maximum points to kick-start a playoff push.

These two teams sit in 12th and 14th position in the table respectively having failed to put together a consistent run of form of late.

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Match preview

With Lincoln having not lost more than twice in a row for an entire year, Michael Skubala would have been expecting a response from his side on New Year's Day.

Instead, the Imps went down by a 1-0 scoreline to Rotherham United, the decisive goal coming five minutes from time.

Lincoln have now lost three times in a row and failed to score in any of those fixtures, with just six goals coming in their last eight outings in all competitions.

Now down in 12th place and with an eight-point deficit to sixth position, Skubala is aware that only wins will do in the short term if they want to stay in any kind of contention.

Although Lincoln could benefit from having played two fewer home matches than on their travels at this stage, they have prevailed in just five of their 11 games on familiar territory.

However, their next home fixture is against opponents whose only defeat in eight matches is a 3-0 reverse to leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

Alex Revell's side have recorded three victories and four draws from their other seven encounters, most importantly moving them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Looking ahead, though, Stevenage now sit just nine points adrift of the playoffs and will move ahead of their 12th-placed opponents with victory on Saturday.

Aside from the defeat to Wycombe, Stevenage kept clean sheets against Blackpool, Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town in their other three games over the Christmas and New Year period.

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Team News

Lincoln will be able to call upon Ethan Erhahon after the midfielder served a one-match ban last time out.

Ethan Hamilton or Conor McGrandles could drop out of the engine room to accommodate his return if Skubala sticks with a back four.

Dylan Duffy and Freddie Draper also pushing for opportunities on the flank and in attack respectively, but Ben House may retain his spot behind whoever starts up front.

Meanwhile, Revell may be content with naming the same Stevenage XI from the goalless draw at Northampton Town.

Only Harvey White was introduced for Dan Kemp during that fixture and that seems to be the most likely alteration if one is made.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup: Wickens, Darikwa, Jackson, O'Connor, Roughan; Erhahon, Hamilton; Makama, House, Moylan; Draper

Stevenage possible starting lineup: Cooper; James-Wildin; Thompson, Piergianni, Freestone; Thompson, Phillips; Roberts, Kemp, List; Reid

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We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Stevenage

With Lincoln having lost their last three fixtures, Stevenage will fancy themselves to earn something from this game. Given the visitors have also struggled for wins of late, a low-scoring draw appears to be the most likely outcome.

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

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