Lincoln City return to the LNER Stadium for the second time in a week as they entertain Bristol Rovers in SkyBet League One.
It was a perfect Tuesday night for the Imps as they thrashed Cambridge United 6-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games. They now sit three points being Stevenage, who occupy the final play-off place.
The reverse fixture back in September had a very different feel about it for both clubs. Both men in charge of their sides in Mark Kennedy and Joey Barton both lost their jobs the following month after the 1-1 draw.
Opposition: Bristol Rovers
It’s been a tough week for the Gas, whose outside play-off push has taken a major blow. After a 3-0 home defeat to Derby County they played out a goalless draw at struggling Fleetwood Town.
The results have seen the side slip to 11th in the league, eight points behind the Imps. However, Matt Taylor’s side do have a game in hand over the Imps.
Head coach Taylor only joined the side back in November, after his year long-stint at Rotherham United.
Team News:
Forward Ben House was forced off on Tuesday night in the first half, and head coach Michael Skubala is unsure whether the forward will be available in time for the fixture this weekend.
Alex Mitchell was another to be forced off through injury in the second half. He too could be a doubt for the tie against Bristol Rovers.
They join the injured Conor McGrandles, Tyler Walker, Lewis Montsma and Ethan Hamilton, who all are out for the remainder of the season.
As for the visitors, key players to look out for include midfielder Antony Evans, who has 12 goal involvements in 28 starts this season
Grant Ward returned to the pitch for a quarter of an hour in the draw at Fleetwood, but is not expected to start at the LNER Stadium.
On loan midfielder Brandon Aguilera could also feature for the first time since February 10, after injury, head coach Taylor suggested.
The Gas’ top scorer this season Chris Martin has 15 goals for the season, leaving the Scotsman only five goals behind golden boot leader Alfie May.
Head-to-head:
The two sides have met plenty of times over the years, and have an equal record between them, since September 1953 when the Imps took all three points.
The teams have met 48 times previously, with both sides collecting 19 wins over each other each, leaving ten occasions where draws occurred.
Played for Both:
Amongst the current Gas ranks is former Imps striker John Marquis. He made 20 appearances, scoring five times for City in a short spell in the 2021/2022 season.
Other players to feature in both camps include defender Kevin Austin, winning the player of the year award in 1997/1998 promotion winning season.
Lee Thorpe also featured in 1997, eventually going on to score 67 goals in 233 appearances for the Imps.
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