Lincoln City prepare for their first midweek fixture in three weeks against relegation battling Northampton Town at the LNER Stadium.
The Imps come into this game following a 1-1 draw against third place Bolton Wanderers, as a late goal by striker Sam Dalby meant that the riches were spoilt between the two promotion pushing sides.
City remain in second place, stretching their unbeaten run to 14 matches and are four points behind league leaders Cardiff with 15 games left.
Opponents: Northampton Town
Northampton drew last Saturday away from home against Exeter City in a game which saw them extend their gap to two points from the drop zone.
The Cobblers are managed by former Newcastle, West Ham and Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan who has been at the club since December 23, 2024, boasting a current win percentage of 34.4%.
Nolan’s East Midlands outfit will be looking for a return to form after a mixed run since the turn of the new year, with only three wins in 2026.
Team News
Head-coach Michael Skubala has kept the same starting line-up for the past few games now and believes he only needs to change when the time comes and if it’s right.
Skubala said: “There’s so much detail that goes into it, I know it looks like just picking the same team again because their doing well, but it’s never been that.
“I’m not adverse to tweaking and changing if we need too, but in the same sense that sometimes means not changing.
“Players need to play sometimes to stay strong as a group. I trust anyone from the squad, I trust everyone they can start a game for us.”
No injured players seem to be ready to play against Northampton Town according to Skubala, as they are still going through rehabilitation.
Head-to-Head
Lincoln have had the upper hand in recent affairs against Northampton, especially in their meeting earlier on in the campaign at Sixfields Stadium which Lincoln won 1-0.
City have also won seven out of the last ten meetings between the two sides, with Town getting one win in December 2023, and the remaining two results being draws.
Overall, the Imps have won 20, with the Shoe Army only winning 16, but the sides have drawn 26 times since their first recorded meeting in 1961.
Played For Both
Imps forward James Collins is one of three current players who have played in both team’s colours.
Collins joined Town on loan from Shrewsbury in the 2015/16 season, making 21 appearances and scoring eight times for the Cobblers.
Northampton’s Welsh forward Jack Vale and Scottish defender Jack Burroughs – were also once Lincoln City players.
Vale was at Sincil Bank on loan from Blackburn during the 2022/23 season making 17 appearances and scoring twice whilst Burroughs was another loan signing for the Imps the following season, making 35 appearances, scoring only once for Lincoln throughout the season.