INTRODUCTION

It's been 3 games since the Imps last tasted defeat in the league. Since then, the Imps have picked up 5 points and aren't far behind the playoff places, then again, neither are our opponents this week who have the same amount of points at the Imps.

Tuesday's defeat at Birmingham saw Lincoln play with class and a level above any League 2 side I've seen this season and has raised optimism furthur everywhere for the Imps

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

For the first time in a long time, City are full strength. Taylor-Fletcher returned against Birmingham, Marcus Richardson has come of the bench twice in the last 7 days. New signing Martin Carruthurs is likely to start on the bench for the Imps.

Possible City line-up (right to left)

Marriott

Bloomer  Futcher  McAuley  Morgan   Peat

Butcher  Gain

Richardson   Taylor-Fletcher    Green

CHESTER CITY

Very few sides got off to a worse start than Lincoln, Chester were one of those sides. Everything started going wrong the day before the start of the season when Mark Wright miraculously quit for reasons we can't mention on here. A draw away at relegated Notts County was a fair start for the Blues but 4 losses out of their first 6 games saw them sit bottom of the table.

Ian Rush was brought in as manager and two wins later, they are now level on the points with the Imps.

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST THE BLUES

The two teams haven't played each other since the 1999/2000 season when the Imps won 4-1 and 3-1 in the season that eventually saw the Blues relegated. Before that season, they had an excellent record over the Imps, winning 4 of the 6 games between the two sides in the space of 3 years with the other two beings draws.

SEASON 1999/2000

Lincoln City 4 Chester City 1

Chester City 1 Lincoln City 3

SEASON 1997/8

Lincoln City 1 Chester City 3

Chester City 2 Lincoln City 0

PREDICTIONS

I've been quite successful with predictions recently so I'm going to put my neck on the line and say....

Lincoln 2 Chester 1

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