Lincoln City and Stockport County meet at Sincil Bank on Saturday afternoon looking to end their poor form in the League One table.
These two teams have dropped down to 10th and ninth place respectively since the October international break having failed to win either match.
Match preview
© Imago
While Lincoln have emerged as one of the most improved teams in the third tier over the past 12 months, Michael Skubala must now look for solutions to get back on track.
Successive defeats have been posted against Birmingham City and Crawley Town since they resumed league action after the October international break.
Lincoln had previously not suffered back-to-back losses since the turn of the year, emphasising why they deserve to be regarded as outside promotion contenders.
Preceding the double setback, a seven-game unbeaten run had been compiled, Lincoln accumulating 15 points from that period and conceding just four goals in the process.
Only two of their five home games have ended in victory, though, and Skubala will be aware that their return at Sincil Bank needs to improve.
As for Stockport, their 18-point haul from their first 11 games back in League One will divide opinion.
Although they have only suffered one defeat, which came by a 4-1 scoreline at home to Leyton Orient, six of their other 10 matches have ended in draws.
On a more positive note, they are unbeaten in five, with that streak including draws away at the likes of Barnsley and Charlton Athletic who are viewed as rivals for the playoffs.
Dave Challinor's side are the only team in this division yet to lose away from home, collecting 10 points from a possible 18 and conceding just the four times.
Team News
![Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/dave-challinor.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
© Imago
Skubala is expected to tinker with his Lincoln side, with Bailey Cadamarteri in line for a recall in attack.
JJ McKiernan and Jack Moylan are also in contention for opportunities in midfield with Ethan Hamilton potentially dropping out having made his first league start of the season in midweek.
As for Stockport, Challinor made a quadruple change with 19 minutes remaining against Northampton Town to help his side earn a draw.
Oliver Norwood, Kyle Wootton, Michael Mellon and Jack Diamond will all hope to come into the side having made an impact as substitutes.
Defender Fraser Horsfall is also available again after serving a one-match suspension, with Callum Connolly most at risk of missing out with Sam Hughes impressing on Tuesday.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Hamer, O'Connor, Roughan; Ring, Hamilton, Erhahon, Jefferies, Darikwa; House, Draper
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Hughes, Horsfall, Pye; Bailey, Bate, Powell, Touray; Fevrier; Olaofe, Barry
We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Stockport County
With Stockport unbeaten on their travels this season, they deserve respect ahead of this encounter. That leads us to back a low-scoring draw between two teams who will be eager to avoid falling further away from the playoffs.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
