Lincoln City square off against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon playing for pride now they are effectively out of the playoff race.
At a time when the home side sit in 11th position in the League One table, Shrewsbury are cut adrift at the bottom of the standings and could be relegated this weekend.
Match preview
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After their disappointing period between November and January, Lincoln were always going to be playing catch-up in an effort to stay in the playoff race.
Accumulating 11 points from their most recent seven games has ensured that Michael Skubala's job is far safer than it may have been a few months ago, yet the season will still end in a damp squib.
Lincoln are 14 points behind the playoffs with five games left, while there are 15 points separating them and the relegation zone.
Skubala will hope that his team can continue to build momentum from their last two fixtures, with a four-point haul coming from matches with Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic.
Although Lincoln gave up a two-point lead at The Valley, it was very much a point gained when they had suffered three straight away defeats beforehand.
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Meanwhile, Michael Appleton returns to Sincil Bank having previously managed Lincoln on 155 occasions between 2019 and 2022, prevailing on 55 occasions.
However, he is now in charge of a Shrewsbury outfit that could have their inevitable relegation confirmed this weekend after a 12-match streak without a win.
Since starting his reign with a goalless draw at Wycombe Wanderers, Appleton has since overseen defeats to Cambridge United and Reading to sit 13 points adrift of safety with five games left.
The aim for the closing games will be to end the season on a high note in the hope that it helps attracts a new owner, but Shrewsbury have not won a game since February 8.
Furthermore, just 11 points have been collected from their 20 away games in the third tier during 2024-25.
Team News
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Dom Jefferies is in line to take the place of Jovon Makama after the winger needed to be withdrawn during the early stages against Charlton.
Tom Bayliss is also an option to come into the midfield, but the remainder of the starting lineup may remain the same.
Ben House should keep his place in the number-10 role having ended his goal and assist drought in the previous fixture.
Appleton may choose to freshen up his Shrewsbury side on the back of the defeat in midweek, Dominic Gape and David Wheeler both in contention to start.
Jordan Shipley is also an alternative to Taylor Perry, although the latter did score Shrewsbury's goal against Reading.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, Jackson, Roughan; McGrandles, Hamilton; Ring, House, Jefferies; Collins
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Blackman; M. Feeney, J. Feeney, Pierre; Hoole, Perry, Gilliead, Gape, Nurse; Marquis, Lloyd
We say: Lincoln City 2-0 Shrewsbury Town
Although Appleton is returning to a former club, he may be more focused on planning for next season at this stage, assuming that he stays at Shrewsbury. Nevertheless, Lincoln should come through this contest in relatively comfortable fashion as they bid to return to the top 10.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
