Can Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City open a nine-point cushion over the chasing pack and add to their 13- league match unbeaten streak with a win over third place Bolton Wanderers?
A win and the Imps can do exactly that, and it could be key in their push to head into the second tier of the English football pyramid for the first time since 1961.
Coming off the back of a 4-1 win away down in Plymouth, Michael Skubala’s side now have the chance to continue their momentum against a high-flying Wanderers side.
Opponents: Bolton Wanderers
Steven Schumacher’s Bolton currently sit third in the division, on 55 points leaving them six behind the Imps.
Last time out for the Trotters, Sam Dalby and John McAtee’s first half goals were just enough to secure a 3-2 victory against a Barnsley side struggling in 15th.
Away from home, Bolton have been a strong side, not losing on their travels since their 2-1 loss to Wycombe in December.
Since rejoining the squad, John McAtee has been on a brilliant run of form topping it off with a goal in the aforementioned match versus Barnsley last time out.
Sam Dalby is the new top goalscorer this season for the Trotters across all competitions, scoring nine goals, four of them coming from his last three matches.
Team News
For the past four matches, Skubala hasn’t felt the need to make any alterations to his starting 11 as they conceded just two goals in that time.
In the press conference, Skubala explained that this run might have to change: “There is another group that are chomping at the bit to get into the team and are training really well and we are going to need them over these next ten games.
“The team will start to change – We are going to need to use everybody.”
With this in mind, will Imps supporters see Ryan Oné or Alfie Lloyd make their first start?
Both players had an excellent performance at Home Park last weekend, with Lloyd providing the assist for the Scotsman Oné.
Head to Head
Imps’ fans will surely remember earlier in the season where, inside 19-seconds, Freddie Draper scored against Bolton in the 1-1 draw back in August.
Bolton have won six of their last nine league matches against Lincoln, keeping five clean sheets across those wins.
Before 2020, the last time these two teams clashed, was in the FA Cup third round in 2010.
Legendary Premier League centre back, Gary Cahill scored a header in that game, adding a cherry on top to their 4-0 win at the once named Reebok Stadium.
Played for both
Most notably current Bolton midfielder Ethan Erhahon spent time at Lincoln until this summer when he made his move to Bolton.
The Scotsman made over 100 appearances for the Imps and was named the Fans’ Player of the Season last season.
Another player to have represented both sides is Zachary Elbouzedi, who was Michael Appleton’s first signing after joining the club at the back end of 2019.
However, the half Libyan half Irish midfielder fell out of Appleton’s plans rather quickly with lacklustre performances in red and white.
Elbouzedi subsequently left Lincoln to join Bolton on loan and then permanently moved to Swedish club AIK Stockholm in 2021.