Score predictions - Lincoln away

Our first away league game of the season, sees us visit a Lincoln side who made a late charge for the Reds' play off spot late last season, but ultimately missed out. Prior to our meeting at Oakwell on 8th March, the Imps were 15 points behind us, who ourselves were outside the automatic places by 3 points with a game in hand. We ended the season just 2 points apart, in spite of Champions elect Portsmouth defeating the Imps on the final day. The hosts are early favourites to take all 3 points at 12/11. The Tykes are 12/5 outsiders to gain their first win of the season.

Last season, Lincoln were only marginally better than us on home soil. They obtained 37 points from 23 games, which was just 3 more than us. Coincidentally, they also gained 37 points away, at least showing their consistency. They ended the season with back to back home defeats to Portsmouth and Wigan, which ended a home unbeaten run of 9 games (6 wins). During that run, they also kept 6 consecutive clean sheets. Around the time of our last visit to Sincil Bank, the Imps were in the middle of an 8 game winless streak at home (3 defeats), which ultimately made their promotion push more difficult.

Our record at Lincoln is mixed. We are 4 unbeaten at the LNER Stadium, with the 2 draws in the last 2 league 1 campaigns being preceded by 2 League Cup victories. Barry Cotter and John McAtee scored within 4 second half minutes of each other to turn our last visit on it's head, prior to a late Timothy Eyoma equaliser. Before the goalless draw the season before last, we'd not faced Lincoln away in the league since 1975; our post war record stands at 5 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats.

The only former red in the Lincoln ranks is Adam Jackson. The centre half, who struggled for game time at Oakwell, is enjoying his 5th season at the LNER, after a spell at Hibs between his time there and here. Lincoln have lost a lot of key players from last season, most notable for me being the transfer of Lasse Sørensen to Huddersfield. Though set pieces could be their strength, with centre half Paudie O'Connor netting twice at Burton Albion on the opening day. New signing Rob Street has also caused us problems in the past when featuring for Cheltenham and Shrewsbury; the physical front man starts for his 5th club in as many seasons, having moved from the Robins this summer.

Referee Martin Coy featured near the bottom of the Ref Watch league table last year, after a fussy display at Oakwell, when the Reds were defeated by Oxford early last season. He issued 3 yellows and a penalty against the hosts, in a game most notable for Mael De Gevigney's questionable debut. Coincidentally, in his only other game so far this season, he issued 5 yellow cards as Barrow beat Crewe 1-0, including to Barnsley loanee Andy Dallas, and former striker, Kane Hemmimgs. He took charge of 3 Lincoln games last season, all on home soil. In his first, he awarded 2 penalties to the hosts, and sent off Blackpool's Oliver Norburn en route to a 3-0 Lincoln victory. He then presided over the Imps exit from the FA Cup at the first stage vs Morecambe, flashing 7 yellow cards in that one. He then took charge of the aforementioned defeat to Wigan towards the end of last season. On that occasion, he issued 11 yellow cards (6 to Lincoln), as the Latics grabbed a late winner.

In terms of a Barnsley team, there will obviously be changes from the cup win over Wigan. Having played in that one, I don't think we'll see a start for Pines just yet, as he nears full fitness, even though he's done the pre match presser. Kelechi Nwakali won't be available having not obtained international clearance or had a full pre-season. And at the time of writing, there hasn't been any new strikers signed. I think Lofthouse has made a case for a start so I'm predicting the following.


I've not found a predicted Lincoln team, or thread on their forum for the game just yet. So here is the side they had out for the win over Burton last week. They made 8 changes for the cup defeat to Harrogate on Tuesday.


Given our frailties at the back, but knack of always scoring despite our lack of depth up front, I think the best bet for this game is a score draw at a shade over 5/1 (5.17/1). My profit/Loss for the season is -£5.


This will be a tough test, though evidence from the cup game on Tuesday seems to suggest that we'll be a little more comfortable away from home again. I fancy a 1-1 draw in this one, with Phillips equalising midway through the second half.

 

1-0 Lincoln, plenty of huff but no puff, demonstrating even further the urge for a striker or two.

 

1-1
MDG overhead thunderb4st4rd

Another great preview Archey, thank you.

 

2-2 Phillips & Pines

 

Imps 1 Colliers 3

 

2-3 to Barnsley.

Pines, Phillips & the WINNER off Watter's arse.

 

1-1 with a typical Lincoln performance at home

 

1-2 defeat again.

 

Score draw.

 

A dominant performance all over the park, just like the majority of the last two games. Lincoln score early from a set piece, we dominate and miss chance after chance, they score late on against the run of play. 2-0 Lincoln.

OR....

A dominant performance, we find our shooting boots, we win 4-0 as we probably should have done in the first two games.

I think a lot will depend on whether Pines plays. At least we're likely to have a competent keeper, which will play a huge part in the defence in front of him remaining organised.

 

0-2 reds pines brace

 

1-0 to The Reds, Watters to notch.

 

It will not end 0-0

 

1-1 Cosgrove

 

1-2 Reds Watters, yes watters, and Phillips

 

1-3. Watters brace and phillips

 

2 0 to Lincoln.

 

1-1

 

Would like to see 4-4-2 as it looked more solid..then I'd go 1-2 away win..

 

0-2. Fairly routine away defeat