2024-25 Sky Bet League One: Week 12 – Lincoln City vs Birmingham City

Lincoln City host Birmingham City at LNER Stadium in a blockbuster League One encounter.

Victory would see Lincoln climb back to fourth but they can go as high as second if Wrexham and Mansfield both lose elsewhere – or if Wrexham lose and Mansfield draw due to the Imps’ better goal difference over the Stags.

Birmingham will remain top of the table if they win, otherwise a draw or defeat would require Wrexham and Mansfield to both not win their games.

 

Team News

Tom Bayliss is ruled out for Lincoln City with a knee injury.

Ben House (nose) is set to return but Jovon Makama (groin), Tyler Walker (ankle) and Zack Jeacock (unspecified) remain ruled out.

Birmingham will be without Krystian Bielik after he suffered an ankle injury in their defeat at Charlton a fortnight ago.

Tomoki Iwata (ankle) and Paik Seung-ho (fitness) are doubts but Lee Buchanan (calf), Ethan Laird, Luke Harris (both ankle) and Alfie Chang (knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Lincoln City host Birmingham City at LNER Stadium on Saturday 19 October at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Lincoln City are winless in their last 14 league meetings against Birmingham City (D6, L8).
• Birmingham City are unbeaten in their last eight league visits to Lincoln City (W4, D4).
• Lincoln City have never kept a clean sheet at home to Birmingham City in all competitions.
• Lincoln City have kept one clean sheet at home this season in the third-tier (W2, D1, L1).
• No Birmingham player has been involved in more league goals this season than Alfie May – five goals and one assist.

 

Prediction

With just one league defeat this season, Lincoln City certainly shouldn’t hold much fear given how solid their attack is but they’ve kept just three clean sheets, so will need a better defensive effort if want to keep Birmingham quiet.

Birmingham though bounced back in the EFL Trophy to ruthlessly beat Shrewsbury in their last outing, just days after their league loss at Charlton so I do expect them to be at their best but patience might be needed here.

Michael Skubala’s Imps though know that a win would put them right in the mix for automatic promotion at this stage, so I do expect them to go for the counter-attack and try to nick a result.

Prediction: Lincoln City 1-1 Birmingham City

Result: Lincoln City 1-3 Birmingham City