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Cheltenham Town
League One | Gameweek 22
Mar 7, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Jonny-Rocks Stadium
Lincoln City

Cheltenham
0 - 0
Lincoln


Long (17'), Rea (69')
FT

Diamond (22')

Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Lincoln City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cheltenham Town will be hoping to leapfrog Lincoln City in the League One table by beating them on Saturday.

Both sides failed to gain a victory last weekend, leaving each of them in the bottom half of the table.


Match preview

Cheltenham Town's manager Michael Duff and Sean Long after the match in February 2021© Reuters

Having comfortably survived relegation following their promotion from League Two under Michael Duff's management, there were many fears regarding Cheltenham's League One status this time around after the former Burnley defender departed for Barnsley during the summer.

Duff's former coach Wade Elliott was chosen as his successor in his first permanent managerial role, and so far the 44-year-old has performed above expectations to guide the Robins to being five points clear of safety ahead of their test against Lincoln this weekend.

That gap could have been much greater, however, had they not fallen to defeat against Forest Green Rovers, who currently occupy the first relegation position, with Myles Peart-Harris's late strike handing them victory last time out.

Having landed successive victories prior to their trip to Nailsworth, Elliott will be calm about the defeat, but he will be hoping to see much more from his team in an offensive sense on home turf on Saturday, especially given that no side has scored fewer goals than his in League One so far this season.

Lincoln City's Chris McGuire celebrates with teammates after the match on January 11, 2022© Reuters

Lincoln have not exactly been goal hungry themselves under former Liverpool defender Mark Kennedy, who replaced Michael Appleton in the Imps' managerial dugout in May earlier this year.

Their 0-0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend was their eighth stalemate in 10 home games in League One this season, although given that they won their other two matches at Sincil Bank, they have an unbeaten home record to be proud of.

Away from home they have been much more inconsistent, having sensationally won at Portman Road against the impressive league leaders Ipswich Town, before losing to the likes of Shrewsbury and Port Vale.

As such, Kennedy will be hoping for a positive result on Saturday, particularly as avoiding defeat could see them move into the top half of the table. However, the 46-year-old will be all too aware that it is likely to be a game of fine margins.

Cheltenham Town League One form:


Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):


Lincoln City League One form:


Lincoln City form (all competitions):



Team News

Lincoln City's manager Michael Appleton and Regan Poole celebrate after the match against Sunderland in the League One playoffs on May 22, 2021© Reuters

Elliott made four changes for his side's thumping 4-0 win against Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in midweek, with Charlie Brown hoping to retain his starting spot after bagging a brace.

Caleb Taylor should return at the heart of the defence, though, with Luke Southwood also likely to start in goal.

Kennedy, meanwhile, made five changes for his team's 4-2 win against Everton Under-21s, with Regan Poole starring from right wing-back by opening the scoring.

Both managers will have an in-form forward to call upon after Jack Diamond shined bright by scoring twice against the Toffees' youngsters.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Long, Taylor, Freestone; Broom, Bonds, Sercombe, Williams; Brown; Nlundulu, May

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; O'Connor, Jackson, Walsh; Poole, Virtue, Sanders, Robson; Vernam, House, Diamond


SM words green background

We say: Cheltenham Town 0-0 Lincoln City

Despite both teams bagging four goals in the EFL Trophy in midweek, we expect a much cagier affair in League One on Saturday.

Both of these sides have been more impressive defensively than they have offensively this season, and we would not be surprised to see a goalless draw play out.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Brett Curtis

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Game History

How you voted: Cheltenham vs Lincoln

Cheltenham Town
26.7%
Draw
35.6%
Lincoln City
37.8%
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Ipswich Town's James Norwood celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on December 29, 2021
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