Lincoln City meet Barnsley in a huge midweek clash in 2025-26 Sky Bet League One.
Victory could put Lincoln City as high as second if they win by three or more goals and Stevenage fail to win elsewhere.
Barnsley can climb as high as sixth if Bolton, Luton, Huddersfield and AFC Wimbledon all suffer defeats elsewhere,
Team News
James Collins is a doubt for Lincoln City after he suffered a knock in their EFL Trophy exit against Huddersfield.
Ben House is still ruled out with an unspecified injury.
Barnsley will have Josh Earl available following his recovery from a back injury which saw him sit out their FA Cup win at Peterborough.
Marc Roberts (groin) is a doubt but Nathanael Ogbeta (unspecified) is ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Lincoln City face Barnsley at LNER Stadium on Tuesday 9 December at 7:45pm GMT, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Lincoln City are unbeaten in four of their last six league meetings against Barnsley (W2, D2, L2).
- Barnsley have won one of their last five league visits to Lincoln City (W1, D2, L2).
- Lincoln City haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last four league meetings against Barnsley, in which they scored 11 goals and conceded 9 goals.
- No Lincoln City player has been involved in more league goals this season than James Collins, having produced four goals and one assist in 18 appearances.
- Barnsley’s Davis Keillor-Dunn has converted eight of his 17 shots on target into goals this season.
Prediction
With just two wins in their last six league games, Lincoln City have definitely hit a rut and last week exited the EFL Trophy which might be a blessing in disguise, as they now had a full week to focus on their weaknesses so I hope that they can start rediscovering their early-season form.
Barnsley meanwhile outplayed Peterborough in their FA Cup tie and really could of won by a larger margin, yet they somehow got through but now need to switch focus back to their league campaign rather than get caught up in cup fantasies at a critical mid-season phase.
The LNER Stadium though hasn’t exactly been a kind place for Barnsley to visit in their recent visits but on current form, I think that they can grind out a point apiece.
Prediction: Lincoln City 1-1 Barnsley
Result: Lincoln City 3-1 Barnsley