Looking to continue their sensational form as they strive for a top-six finish, Lincoln City will welcome Wigan Athletic to LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a League One clash.
The Imps' marvellous unbeaten run was extended by a point at Reading last weekend, whilst the Latics were forced to share the spoils with Charlton Athletic last time out.
Match preview
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Following a five-game winning run in League One, Lincoln were forced to share the points with a lowly-ranked Reading side last Saturday, when Ruben Selles claimed that his Royals produced one of their best performances of the campaign to earn a result from the contest in Berkshire.
The visiting Imps looked on course for a sixth-straight success when substitute Freddie Draper put Lincoln ahead in the 72nd minute, however Reading showcased their powers of recovery to collect a point, with centre-back Tyler Bindon netting an equaliser in the closing stages.
Lincoln head coach Michael Skubala was in a positive mood at the Select Cars Leasing Stadium despite his men dropping points late on, with the former Leeds United assistant understanding that the playoff race is set to have many twists and turns before the last ball is kicked on April 27.
Saturday's hosts are currently enjoying the longest unbeaten run in League One, with the Imps now 16 games without defeat after sharing the spoils at Reading last time out - a remarkable spell of form which has allowed Skubala's troops to sit only two points behind sixth-placed Oxford United.
Although Lincoln only rank ninth in terms of home points over the course of the 2023-24 campaign, they have been deadly on their own patch in recent weeks, winning their last three fixtures at LNER Stadium by an aggregate scoreline of 12-0.
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Wigan managed to secure their League One safety in the capital on Wednesday night, when the Latics returned back North with a hard-earned point following a four-goal thriller with Charlton, although it could have been a lot better for the visitors at a half-full Valley Stadium.
A brilliant second-half brace from Queens Park Rangers loanee Charlie Kelman after Charlie Hughes's own goal had Wigan ahead versus the Addicks, however the hosts were able to fight back for a share of the spoils in the final 15 minutes, when substitute Chuks Aneke netted his second strike of the league term.
Burdening an eight-point deduction at the beginning of the season and possessing a relatively inexperienced squad, the Latics have done a commendable job of securing their League One status, with Wigan sitting in the safety of 13th, 13 points ahead of 21st-placed Port Vale.
If the League One table was decided purely on home form, Shaun Maloney's charges would be challenging for an immediate return to the Championship, however Saturday's visitors have struggled on their third-tier travels this campaign, winning on just five occasions from 21 outings.
December's meeting between Lincoln and Wigan ended in a goalless draw at the DW Stadium, however their last clash at LNER Stadium was a thriller back in April 2022, when a strike from Will Keane and Callum Lang's brace secured a 3-1 win for the Latics over Michael Appleton's Imps.
Team News
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Lincoln boss Skubala will not want to change his XI too much despite his men failing to earn the win at Reading, meaning that Sean Roughan, Paudie O'Connor and Alexander Mitchell should continue as the back three.
The Imps could be without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, who had an injection this week for a troubling back injury.
The absence of the Dane could result in Jordan Wright making a rare appearance in League One, with three of the 25-year-old's four appearances this season arriving in the EFL Trophy.
Aiming to squash rumours questioning his commitment to the club, Wigan attacker Stephen Humphreys has spoken out and blamed an ankle injury for his recent unavailability.
Although the nine-goal forward is hoping to feature at some point before the season's end, the 26-year-old is a doubt for Saturday, so the likes of Thelo Aasgaard and Martial Godo should start alongside Kelman once again in the forward line.
Charlie Goode was substituted during the half-time interval at Charlton in the week, and the centre-back could be replaced by Tom Pearce for the trip to Lincoln.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wright; Mitchell, O'Connor, Roughan; Sorensen, Moylan, Erhahon, Bishop, Hackett; Taylor, Draper
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Kerr, Pearce, Hughes; Clare, S Smith, M Smith, J Smith; Godo, Aasgaard, Kelman
We say: Lincoln City 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Considering Lincoln's recent home form, Skubala will be supremely confident in his side's ability to bounce back following the draw at Reading last time out.
Wigan's third-tier safety is already confirmed and that could have a negative impact on their performances levels at LNER Stadium, leading us to predict a defeat for Maloney's men.
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Carter White
