Lincoln City travel to Burton Albion this weekend for the second time this season as they look to make it nine games unbeaten.
The Imps currently sit eighth in the Sky Bet League One table following last week’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic in a game that saw two red cards.
A quick-fire brace from James Collins was enough to turn the game on its head after Paul Mullin’s early opener.
But Callum Wright levelled things up again just after the break and the game ended with the points being shared.
Michael Skubala’s side will now be hoping to make the step into the top six this weekend as they face a Burton Albion side currently sat in the relegation zone.
Opponents: Burton Albion
The Brewers come into this winless in their last four league games, having also being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Lincoln City late last month.
However, most recently, they did find a 2-0 victory over Liverpool Under 21’s in the EFL Trophy which left them second to Crewe Alexandra in Northern Group H.
That became their first win since the opening day when Gary Bowyer’s side found a 2-1 victory at home to Mansfield Town.
The Brewers’ only other point this season came in a 0-0 draw at home to Port Vale leaving them on four points and sat in 21st place in this season’s League One table.
Its a slightly disappointing start for the side after they made 14 additions in the summer transfer window, including the loan acquisition of JJ McKiernan from Lincoln City.
Team News:
The Northern Irishman will be unavailable for the Brewers in this one as will Jack Moylan for the Imps as he remains out with an ankle injury.
Sonny Bradley is expected to be available again despite his straight red card in the draw with Mansfield Town given that he was only sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
However, they will still be without Rob Street who is suspended following his red card last weekend against Wigan Athletic.
Along with Ryley Towler who picked up his fifth Yellow Card of the season in the same game.
On a more positive note, Dexter Lembikisa and Jordan Obikwu will both be available for the first time since signing with the Imps.
They spent time away with Jamaica as well as Trinidad & Tobago respectively along with Ivan Varfolomeev who returns after time away with Ukraine Under 21’s.
Head-to-Head:
The Ukrainian did however make his first and only start for the Imps when the two sides last faced off against each other in the Carabao Cup second round.
That game ended as a 1-0 away win for the Imps, with House netting an 89th minute belter to put his side into the next round of the cup.
Based off that tie and the games last season, late goals are certainly a theme when these two sides clash.
Last season Lincoln won the game late at the Pirelli Stadium with former captain Paudie O’Connor scoring a brace from centre-back.
Whilst the reverse fixture saw Burton clinch a 1-0 away win with Charlie Webster scoring a dramatic winner in stoppage-time.
Played for Both:
Lincoln City’s JJ McKieran has been loaned out to Burton for a full season after impressing in the original six month loan deal agreed in January.
Defender Tom Hamer was signed by the Imps from Burton last summer after he made 147 appearances for the Brewers, the defender has already made 28 appearances for the Skubala’s side.
Michael Bostwick and Neal Eardley are also two names who both left the Imps for Burton Albion. Bostwick played over 100 games for City, before leaving to feature 38 times for the Brewers, while right-back Eardley played 122 games for Lincoln and just ten for Burton.