Two teams in the middle of the League One table will clash on Saturday afternoon as Lincoln City host Exeter City at the LNER Stadium.
The hosts are 12th in the table with 49 points from 37 games, while the visitors are 16th in the standings with 44 points from 36 league outings.
Match preview
Lincoln City quickly rose up the English football pyramid with promotions from the National League in 2016-17 and from League Two in 2018-19, but they have been stuck in the third division for the subsequent six seasons.
The Imps have had an inconsistent time in League One, finishing 16th in 2019-20, fifth in 2020-21, 17th in 2021-22, 11th in 2022-23 and seventh last season, while they are on for another mid-table finish this term.
Michael Skubala, in charge since November 2023, has led the side to 13 wins, 10 draws and 14 defeats from 37 league fixtures, leaving them 12th in the table with 49 points.
As a result, Lincoln sit 12 points adrift of the playoff spots and 13 points clear of relegation, leaving both outcomes possible depending on their results in the final nine league games.
Skubala's men will be full of confidence heading into this one, on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Bristol Rovers, and a win could prove vital if they are to mount a late charge for a playoff spot.
However, their opponents, Exeter, are sure to prove a challenging test for the hosts, particularly with the visitors coming into the encounter without a defeat in their last five outings.
Exeter have finished 14th and 13th since earning promotion to the third tier by finishing second in League Two in 2021-22, and they appear on course for another mid-table finish this campaign.
The Grecians are 16th in the standings with 44 points after 36 games played, from 12 wins, eight draws and 16 defeats, meaning they are 17 points behind the top six and eight above the drop zone.
Gary Caldwell's team will be confident of extending their lead over the relegation zone with a win on Saturday, as Exeter are without a defeat in their last five, including two wins and three draws.
The visitors have struggled in their visits to the LNER Stadium, though, with Lincoln remaining undefeated at home in this clash since a 1-0 loss in April 2009, with two wins and three draws in that time.
Team News
Lincoln City are expected to be without the services of both Ethan Erhahon and Jack Moylan due to ongoing injury issues.
Elsewhere, the starting team that led Lincoln to a fantastic 5-0 victory over Bristol Rovers last time out is likely to start here, including hat-trick hero Jovon Makama.
As for the visitors, Yanic Wildschut, Pierce Sweeney and Jack Fitzwater are all unlikely to feature due to ongoing injury problems.
Ilmari Niskanen could be reinstated to the starting 11 after making his return from injury in the 1-1 draw with Rotherham, while the rest of the side could remain the same.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, O'Connor, Roughan; Bayliss, McGrandles; Makama, Hackett-Fairchild, Jefferies; Collins
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Turns, MacDonald, Hartridge; McMillan, Trevitt, Francis, Niskanen; Mitchell, Colwill; Magennis
We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Exeter City
The hosts are unbeaten in their last five home meetings with Exeter, while the visitors have remained without defeat in their last five league outings, leading us to expect a tight draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
