Lincoln and Exeter clash tonight at Sincil Bank in a crucial match for both club’s promotion hopes.
It is both sides game in hand on their promotion rivals and three points for Lincoln would lift them five points clear of second-placed Bury and nine ahead of MK Dons in fourth. It is also a big night for Exeter as three points would strengthen their playoff credentials and put them back in the reckoning for an automatic spot.
However, both teams face injury worries ahead of the match. The Imps could be without in-form Bruno Andrade who limped off after scoring both goals in their 2-0 victory at Morecambe at the weekend. The Portuguese winger will take a late fitness test before manager Danny Cowley decides on his selection.
Meanwhile, Exeter will make the long midweek trip north with doubts over six key players. Dean Moxey picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday’s win at Crewe and is expected to miss out along with Nicky Law and Lee Martin who both sat out Saturday’s fixture at Gresty Road.
Troy Brown and Luke Croll remain on the long-term injury list, but Hiram Boateng has been making good progress and could return to the bench. Jonathan Forte is nursing an infected knee and is also a doubt having been one of the substitutes for the Crewe game.
Grecians boss Matt Taylor told Devon Live ‘We will have to see how the bodies are and see what we have available, but whoever I put out will put in another spirited performance and we will see what happens.’
Lincoln go into the match on the back of a ten game unbeaten run in the league stretching back to Boxing Day, yet they have often struggled to see games out at Sincil Bank, losing ten points from winning positions at home this season including drawing their last two home matches after taking the lead.
Exeter have been in good form, and travel to Lincolnshire having won three of their last five away league games although Sincil Bank is far from a happy hunting ground for the Grecians, they have only won one of their previous eight visits to Sincil Bank in the Football League, a 1-0 victory back in 2009.
Our View
Should be a cracking match between two sides looking to win the game.
It will be close, but I think two long trips in a week together with their injury doubts might mean Exeter will tire the longer the game goes on.
However, if Exeter can stay in the game, Lincoln might get nervous as they approach ninety-minutes and give them chances.
Lincoln will undoubtedly miss Andrade if he fails to make it, but on balance I take them to win by the odd goal.
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