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

Northampton Town will resume the search for their first victory of the 2025-26 League One season when they host Lincoln City on Tuesday night.

The Cobblers have lost two and drawn one of their opening three fixtures, while the Imps have won two and lost one of their three games.

Match preview

Northampton Town were promoted from League Two in 2022-23, and the Cobblers have struggled to adapt to life in the third division in the following seasons.

They secured an encouraging 14th-placed finish in 2023-24, a comfortable 16 points above the drop zone, followed by dropping to 19th last term, narrowly just five points above the bottom four.

Expected to be involved in the fight for survival once again this campaign, Kevin Nolan's side have experienced a challenging start to the 2025-26 League One season.

Northampton were dominated by Wigan Athletic in a 3-1 opening day defeat, managed to hold onto a 0-0 draw with Bradford City on matchday two and succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Stevenage last time out.

Those results leave Northampton Town sitting 21st in the table with just one point from three games, and they will be keen to end their winless start to the campaign on Tuesday.

Lincoln City will be favourites to extend the Cobbler's lacklustre start, though, as the Imps head into this clash having won three and lost one of their four fixtures across all competitions this term.

Lincoln opened the season with a 2-0 win over Reading, suffered a 2-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon the following week, then responded with a 3-1 EFL Cup triumph over Harrogate Town before holding off a late Plymouth Argyle surge to secure three points in their most recent game.

Michael Skubala's side held a 3-0 lead after 65 minutes in that match and looked to be cruising to victory, but two Plymouth goals in two minutes made for a tense finish, and while Lincoln did hold onto their lead, the manager will be looking for a more controlled performance this time out.

The visitors will be confident of achieving another League One win on Tuesday, as the Imps have won three and drawn one of their last four visits to Northampton's home ground.

Northampton Town League One form:

Lincoln City League One form:

Team News

Northampton are expected to remain without Jordan Thorniley, who has been absent from matchday action after suffering an injury in the 0-0 draw with Bradford City.

Meanwhile, Jon Guthrie and Liam Shaw are both still nursing knee injuries, while striker Tom Eaves is also anticipated to remain on the sidelines.

The hosts have scored just once in the league so far this season, and Nolan may decide to change his attacking lineup as a result, meaning Terry Taylor could start.

As for Lincoln City, Jack Moylan may not feature after missing their latest encounter due to an injury problem sustained in their EFL Cup tie, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection.

James Collins scored twice in their 3-2 win against Plymouth Argyle last weekend, and the striker should feature alongside Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, Freddie Draper and Robert Street in attack.

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Burge; Burroughs, Forbes, Dyche; List, Campbell, Fornah, McCarthy; Taylor, Wheatley, Hoskins

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, Bradley, Towler; McGrandles, Bayliss; Street, Draper, Hackett-Fairchild; Collins

We say: Northampton Town 0-2 Lincoln City

Northampton have struggled for goals and results at the start of this season, while Lincoln have shown their quality with multiple victories, and given the Imps's impressive record in this fixture, we expect an away win.

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