Lincoln City entertain Reading at the LNER Stadium, looking to extend their unbeaten league run to five games at the LNER Stadium on Saturday (December 16).
The Imps crashed out of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night, conceding to a stoppage time winner from Stanley’s Rosaire Longelo, in the round of 32 stage.
In their last league game, the Imps took home a point from the DW Stadium with a goalless draw against Wigan Athletic. Only one shot on target was registered to be on target in the entirety of the game, with Michael Skubala looking to improve that statistic against the Royals.
Opposition: Reading FC
As for Reading, they currently sit second from bottom in Sky Bet League One, in 23rd place. Without their four-point deduction for off-field struggles, they would have been in 20th, outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
They have not won a game in four, since thrashing Carlisle United 5-1 back in November. Reuben Selles’ side took a point at home against high flying Oxford United, in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night, in the first Thames Valley derby in over two decades.
Summer signing from Cambridge United Sam Smith scored that night, and is expected to lead the line for the visitors.
Pre-match, Imps centre-back Adam Jackson said he looks at the game as a potentially difficult one.
Team News:
The Imps have the injury concerns over Ben House and Lewis Montsma, still side-lined through long-term injuries.
Tyler Walker is expected to be out for the remainder of the season. However, Michael Skubala revealed a positive note on Reeco Hackett to LincSport. He has returned to the training pitch, but is not expected to feature soon.
There are no fresh injury concerns for the visitors after their draw against Reading. Experienced players such as Lewis Wing, Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs are all expected to feature, as they look to unlock the City backline.
Head-to-Head:
It’s the first competitive meeting between the two sides in the 21st century, with the previous League Division Two contest in 1999 finishing in a 2-2 draw.
The first meeting of the two sides came in December 1961, with Reading picking up 3-2 victory in the League Diviison Three competition. There have been 24 games between the two with a pretty even record. The Imps have won eight times, with the Royals picking up seven wins, drawing nine times.
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