Lincoln City travel to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, February 3, as they face 17th place Burton Albion in SkyBet League One action.
The Imps come into this game after a decent set of results, earning goalless drawing with promotion contenders Derby County and Peterborough United.
City’s initial allocation of 940 has been sold out, with an extra 288 total tickets being sent out for Imps fans.
Opposition: Burton Albion
The Brewers have gone through turbulent times and have replaced manager Dino Maamria with former Swansea assistant Martin Paterson.
Paterson has had a balanced start to his tenure, drawing one, losing one, and winning one.
Albion currently sit five points above the drop zone, and three points behind this weekend’s opposition.
Since their promotion in the 2018/19 season, Burton Albion have secured themselves as a stable mid-table League One side.
Team News:
Teddy Bishop came off during Lincoln’s match against Peterborough, and Michael Skubala has said that the midfielder is a doubt.
In positive news, Ben House has returned to training this week, and he will be available for selection. Michael Skubala said: “It will be a decision whether we want to do that this weekend or next.”
Captain Paudie O’Connor has also returned to the squad following his five-match suspension.
Burton landed a deadline day loan signing of Kyle Hudlin, with the striker signing on a short-term loan until the end of season.
City secured their own deadline day loan, re-signing midfielder Conor McGrandles to bolster Skubala’s ranks with some experience.
Head-to-Head:
Overall, Burton have been the more successful team, winning seven out of the 13 total matches. Lincoln have won five, with just one draw.
Lincoln first played Burton Albion in 2009, losing 0-2 in League Two.
The Imps haven’t overcome the hosts since September 2021, beating them 2-1 at the Pirelli thanks to goals from Lewis Fiorini and Anthony Scully.
Played for Both:
Defender Michael Bostwick has played for both Lincoln and Burton, featuring 107 times for the Imps before joining Burton Albion in 2020. During his time at City, Bostwick won the EFL Trophy, with the League Two title being added to his honours list just one year later.
A teammate to Bostwick at both Lincoln and Burton, right back Neal Eardley who joined City in 2017, after a failed trial at Port Vale. Eardley was solid at the back and earned the accolade of Lincoln’s Player of the Season, before extending his deal until 2020.
It was later confirmed Eardley would not extend his deal, and would leave the club. He then joined Burton on a one-year deal, before moving on loan to Barrow after 6 months at the club.