Lincoln CityLincoln City return to LNER Stadium as busy December kicks into gear. Credit: Graham Burrell

Lincoln Citywill be hoping to end their five-game winless run in SkyBet League One, as they host mid-table Charlton Athletic at the LNER Stadium. 

The Imps advanced into the Third Round of the FA Cup, where they will face Birmingham City. Michael Skubala’s side claimed an entertaining away victory at Crawley Town, but narrowly lost their third successive league game at Rotherham United in midweek. 

Opposition: Charlton Athletic 

The Addicks head into the game after ending a five-game winless run of their own with victory at Burton Albion. They will be looking to bounce back, though, after losing to the Imps’ recent FA Cup opponents Crawley. 

Charlton’s win against Burton last week is the first time they had tasted victory on the road since mid-September, when they overcame a struggling Shrewsbury Town at The Croud Meadow. 

The visitors also have the second-best record of any team in League One this season for clearances per match, averaging 28.4, bettered only by Bristol Rovers in Nathan Jones side’s opening 17 matches. 

Team News: 

Lewis Montsma was rested against Rotherham United, as part of his recovery from a knee issue. 

Adam Jackson, who had a nasty head collision early into that game, has “big damage” to his face. Michael Skubala revealed that in his pre-match press conference, indicating that the defender will not be available on Saturday.

Striker Ben House left the field after 67 minutes for Freddie Draper on Tuesday due to injury too and is being monitored, according to the Imps head coach. 

Head-to-Head: 

This is the ninth meeting between the two teams in League One – Charlton have won just two of those previous eight games. 

However, in their previous 12 meetings in all competitions before that, the Addicks managed to secure seven victories. That does give the London-based outfit the advantage in all head-to-head games, but recent history seems to be favouring Skubala’s men. 

In fact, the Imps have won three out of their last four home games against Charlton, winning on their last occasion hosting the Addicks. A double from Hakeeb Adelakun and one from Sean Roughan sent them on their way to a 3-1 victory in October 2023. 

The last meeting between the two sides was in February 2024, when the Imps’ first-half goal from Reeco Hackett was pegged back by a goal courtesy of substitute Freddie Ladapo inside the final 20 minutes. That ensured both sides shared the spoils. 

Played for Both: 

The most notable name to have featured for both sides is Charlton defender Alex Mitchell. The former Millwall man joined Lincoln City on loan in 2023, playing 36 league games for the Imps in 2023-24, registering one goal, before joining Charlton in July 2024. 

Follow LincSport on X (formerly known as Twitter) for full coverage of the game, which is a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday, December 7.