2025-26 League One: Week 21 – Lincoln City vs Cardiff

Lincoln City host Cardiff City in a massive showdown at the top of the 2025-26 League One table. 

Victory could lift Lincoln City up to second if Bradford lose elsewhere, whilst Cardiff can potentially extend their title lead to seven points if Bradford lose elsewhere.

 

Team News

Lincoln City have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

James Collins (ACL) and Ben House (knee) remain absent.

Cardiff will welcome Omari Kellyman back into contention after he was ineligible to feature in their Carabao Cup exit against his parent club – Chelsea.

Rubin Colwill (ankle), Ollie Tanner (leg) and Gabriel Osho (toe) remain absent

 

When is Kick-Off?

Lincoln City meet Cardiff at LNER Stadium on Saturday 20 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Lincoln City have lost just one of their last seven meetings against Cardiff (W5, D1, L1).
• Cardiff have won one of their last seven visits to Lincoln City (W1, D2, L4).
• Lincoln City have scored five goals in their last three home games against Cardiff without conceding.
• Reeco Hackett has scored three goals in Lincoln City’s last two league matches at home (W2).
• Cardiff are looking to win six consecutive league games for the first time since November – December 2000.

 

Prediction

With ten points in their last five league games, Lincoln City have got their promotion challenge back on track but to let their two-goal lead at Blackpool slip was sloppy given how tight it is at the top, so a big reaction is needed but it did highlight how vulnerable their defence is still currently.

Cardiff meanwhile can be proud of their Carabao Cup run because they took the fight to Chelsea throughout but were just outclassed defensively, which shows how strong they’re as a team compared to the summer and now just need to take the positives moving forward and be more clinical.

LNER Stadium though hasn’t exactly been a strong hunting ground for Cardiff but given Lincoln City’s defensive vulnerability, I can see them at least snatching a draw if don’t let their cup exit deflate their mentality.

Prediction: Lincoln City 1-1 Cardiff

Result: Lincoln City 2-1 Cardiff