In a first league meeting of the 21st century, Lincoln City welcome Birmingham City in SkyBet League One action.
The Blues head to the LNER Stadium, as the two sides meet for the first time in the league since February 1955. Lincoln have to go back over one hundred years, to 1911, to find their most recent win over Saturday’s opposition.
Opponents – Birmingham City:
Birmingham City come into the game top of the tree in League One. They have lost just one game this term, their most recent clash. That was away at Charlton Athletic, where a Matt Godden goal sealed a three points for the hosts. Since then, the Blues hit four past Shrewsbury Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in a return to winning ways.
Chris Davies’ side have seven wins from their opening nine games, and sit two points clear of Wrexham and Mansfield Town. The Imps are only four points behind their opponents, and can go within striking distance with a victory against their former Premier League outfit.
Team News:
The headline news is that attacking midfielder Tom Bayliss has suffered an injury to his knee ligaments, so will be out “for a few months”.
Elsewhere, Adam Jackson will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the game, according to Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala.
Ethan Hamilton and Reeco Hackett continue to work their way towards full fitness, alongside Ben House, who has also returned to the squad.
On the other end of things, Birmingham boss Davies will be without a number of key performers. That includes captain Krystian Bielik, who took a knock to his ankle in the defeat to Charlton. Defender Ethan Laird, who recently signed a contract extension, is another name on the injury list for the visitors.
Top scorer Alfie May is in contention for a starting place in the Blues’ frontline, while big money summer signing Jay Stansfield has been ruled out through an injury he picked up over the international break.
Head-to-Head:
Lincoln last faced Birmingham in 2004, with the latter coming away with a 3-1 victory in the League Cup. That is the only meeting of the two clubs in this century.
In fixtures dating back to 1892, the Imps have stood opposite the Blues 37 times. Birmingham have won the vast majority, 25, with eight draws and just four Lincoln wins making up the rest.
Played for Both:
One player currently on Lincoln City’s books used to play for Birmingham. Goalkeeper Zach Jeacock, who stepped in for George Wickens against Wigan Athletic last month, joined the Lincolnshire-based side this summer. He came through the ranks at the Blues, before leaving early in 2024. Yesterday, he was sent out on loan by Lincoln, joining National League outfit Southend United.
Neal Eardley is another player who has worn the shirts of both teams. He featured more than 120 times for the Imps, while making a smattering of appearances for Birmingham earlier in his career. The full-back won both the League Two title and EFL Trophy during his three-season tenure with Lincoln.
Follow LincSport on X (formerly known as Twitter) for live coverage of the game, as well as interviews and a full-length report.