Lincoln City take on Reading at the LNER Stadium in a game which could have repercussions on the League One play-off places.
League One
Our Three Predictions For Lincoln City vs Reading
- First Prediction: Lincoln City To Win – 3/4
- Second Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals – 77/100
- Third Prediction: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 101/100
First Prediction For Lincoln City vs Reading – Lincoln City To Win – 3/4
Reading head into this game clinging on to the final play-off place in League One. However, this is due to the excellent work of Ruben Selles, who departed for Hull City earlier this month. Lincoln have fallen down the table in recent weeks and are winless in the league in seven outings. Despite that, there were small shoots of improvement in their draw with Huddersfield Town last week and will fancy their chances of a return to winning ways against a team adjusting to life under the helm of Noel Hunt. The Imps do feel as though they are on the cusp of a change in form, mainly thanks to the reintroduction of top scorer Bailey Cadamarteri. The Sheffield Wednesday has scored in his last two games in all competitions.
Second Prediction For Lincoln City vs Reading – Over 2.5 Goals – 77/100
The LNER Stadium has been witness to some entertaining affairs this season. In the 10 games played at LN5 thus far, 26 goals have been scored, putting the average at 2.6 goals per game. The stats also indicate that when Reading are away from the Select Car Leasing Stadium, goals are guaranteed, with their 10 fixtures on the road generating 34 goals, 21 of which have been in their own net. Although Lincoln’s last home outing saw a drab 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic, their five prior to that all saw the ball hit the back of the net at least three times.
Third Prediction For Lincoln City vs Reading – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 33/50
Both teams are conceding over one goal per game on average this season, which shows they are capable of leaking at the back. Games at Sincil Bank have also typically seen this prediction come in, with only Charlton and Wigan Athletic failing to score on their visits to the East Midlands. Meanwhile, the hosts have netted in seven of their nine home games whereas Reading have only failed to score in one of their 10 away outings so far this season.
Best Odds For Lincoln City vs Reading
| Bookmaker | Lincoln City | Draw | Reading |
| MyriadPlay | 3/4 | 51/20 | 61/20 |
| Gentleman Jim | 3/4 | 13/5 | 31/10 |
| Betarno | 8/11 | 12/5 | 3/1 |
The table above shows the latest odds from leading football betting websites.
Full Preview of the Game: Last Results and Head-To-Head
On paper, Lincoln look like they’re a team in freefall at the moment. They haven’t won their last seven league outings, with their last victory coming against Northampton Town in October. However, Michael Skubala will feel their performances merit more than their recent points return. For example, they were much the better team against both Wrexham and Rotherham United but ended up losing both games. This points to a lack of fire power, but the Imps looked to have partially solved that last week when they raced into a two-goal lead against Huddersfield. The Terriers fought back in the second half though to earn a 2-2 draw.
Noel Hunt is still waiting for the first win of his Reading tenure since taking over from Ruben Selles earlier this month. The 41-year-old did pick up a respectable draw against league leaders Wycombe Wanderers in his first game in charge. The Royals then exited the EFL Trophy on penalties against Walsall before suffering a 3-0 defeat against Blackpool last weekend.
Both games between the two times finished 1-1 last season in what was their first meeting in almost 25 years. Reading’s last victory at Sincil Bank was in 1985 whereas the last time Lincoln recorded a win at home in this fixture was in 1984.
Confrontation21/12/2024 League One League One 
Lincoln 
Reading 2 0 06/04/2024 League One League One
Reading
Lincoln City 1 1 16/12/2023 League One League One
Lincoln City
Reading 1 1 Last Results - Lincoln City
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Where To Watch Lincoln City vs Reading
Where can I watch this game, either in person or on TV?
- Location: LNER Stadium, Sincil Bank, Lincoln LN5 8LD
- Date: December 21st, 2024
- TV Channel: Sky Sports +
Probable Lineups For Lincoln City vs Reading
Predicted Lincoln City Lineup
- Lineup: Wickens; Montsma, O’Connor, Roughan; Darikwa, Hackett; McGrandles, Erhahon, Moylan; Makama, House
- Injured/Suspended: Jackson, Hamer
- Manager: Michael Skubala
Predicted Reading Lineup
- Lineup: Pereira; Craig, Dean, Bindon, Garcia; Elliott, Wing, Savage; Camara, Smith, Knibbs
- Injured/Suspended: Yiadom, Dorsett, Mbengue, Elliott, Ehibhatiomhan
- Manager: Noel Hunt
