The first knockout round of the 2022-23 EFL Trophy sees Lincoln City entertain the challenge of Morecambe at the LNER Stadium on Tuesday night.
Both teams just about managed to progress from the group stages, but only one of them will be left in the competition come the sound of the final whistle in this one.
Match preview
Lincoln City kicked off their EFL Trophy campaign on the front foot following an emphatic 3-0 victory over Barnsley at the Oakwell on August 30.
Mark Kennedy's suffered a 2-1 defeat to Doncaster in their second group fixture before seeing off the threat of Newcastle Under-21s on the final matchday just over a month ago.
Fresh off the back of a 2-1 win in their last outing, the Imps now set out to repeat their success in the EFL Cup, where they have progressed into the last 16 by beating Bristol City.
Standing in the way is an opposing outfit who have managed just two victories in the most recent 10 meetings between the teams dating back to 2010.
Currently on a six-game home unbeaten run across all competitions, Tuesday's hosts will be confident of getting the job done in front of their fans once again.
Morecambe opened their EFL Trophy journey with a 4-3 triumph on penalties over Everton Under-21s when the teams faced off at the Mazuma Stadium on August 30.
Derek Adams's men also beat Hartlepool United the same way in their second match before narrowly losing out to Harrogate Town 2-1 on October 18.
The Shrimps have had a poor league campaign to date and sit bottom but one in the League Two table, as they have only managed 14 points from 19 matches so far.
Having failed to win any of their last seven outings leading up to Tuesday's contest, the away side have it all to do here with their backs currently against the wall.
Team News
Lincoln City's Ben House has got himself on the scoresheet twice in his last three matches, and the 23-year-old is expected to lead the line once again.
Joe Walsh opened his account for the home side last time out, which could see the defender rewarded with a third consecutive appearance in the XI.
Donald Love has been a regular starter for Morecambe since returning to action from a brief injury layoff, but the Scot could be given a breather in this one.
Albeit in defeat, Jensen Weir was on target in the last encounter between Tuesday's opponents and he will be aiming to come up trumps for the away side.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Eyoma, O'Connor, Walsh; Poole, Virtue-Thick, Sanders, Robson; Diamond, House, Vernam
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Delaney, Rawson, O'Connor; Gibson, Weir, Shaw, Bedeau; Cooney, Philipps, Watts
We say: Lincoln City 2-1 Morecambe
Lincoln City have dominated this fixture to a large degree and will back themselves to continue in the same vein. Morecambe's away record of late also does not make for good reading and we fancy the hosts to get the job done.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
