In a winner takes all Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash, Lincoln City welcome Manchester City’s youngsters to the LNER Stadium.
The Imps need a win to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament they won back in 2018, while a win for Manchester City’s under-21s side will see them advance beyond the group stages in Lincoln’s place.
Opposition: Manchester City U21s:
Michael Skubala described Manchester City’s under-21s as the best young players in the world, expecting them to play the same fluid stay of football as Pep Guardiola’s world beaters.
The Citizens currently sit top of Premier League 2, setting up players such as Jahmai Simpson-Pusey for their big break in the first team. They have come out on both ends of penalty shootouts in their two BSM Trophy games so far this term, beating Grimsby Town and losing to table-toppers Chesterfield.
Group Standings:
The Spireites sit top of Northern Group G, with five points from the opening two games.
Tonight’s opponents are tied on three points, while Lincoln sit just ahead of their visitors by virtue of collecting more wins.
Grimsby Town, who the Imps beat in their latest BSM Trophy fixture, sit rock bottom of the group with a single point.
So, the equation is simple for Lincoln City and Manchester City: the winner advances.
Team News:
Lincoln City come into the game unbeaten in their last four games, with Jack Moylan’s second-half equaliser securing a point at Bristol Rovers over the weekend.
The Imps head coach revealed that a few players suffered “knocks and wounds” at the Gas, adding to the long-term injury list. Ethan Erhahon and loanee Saxon Earley will also miss the game due to yellow card accumulation suspensions.
Skubala said: “We have a few jigsaw puzzles to work out… with injuries, and league games coming thick and fast, we have to be mindful of not risking too many personnel as well.”
Played for Both:
Current Stockport County midfielder Lewis Fiorini spent a stint at the Imps while on the books of Manchester City’s academy. He enjoyed a loan spell at Sincil Bank under Michael Appleton, scoring six League One goals in the 2020/21 season.
Appleton has secured his services on loan twice since, at both Blackpool and Charlton Athletic, before the now 22-year-old found a permanent home at Edgeley Park over the summer.
Follow LincSport on X (formerly known as Twitter) for live updates and coverage of the game, which kicks off at 7pm on Tuesday, November 12.