INTRODUCTION

The Imps go into Saturday's game just 1 place and 2 points below Oxford United and the Imps could, in theory, move up to 8th place but it would have to have every other result go our way and for the Imps to win big. However, the U's will be out to gain 3 points to help their manager who is facing the sack following a record of 5 wins, 7 draws and 11 losses since taking over.

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

Marcus Richardson returns from suspension although will more than likely start from the bench. The talking point will be who plays at left back. Nathan Peat is now back up to full fitness after having a rest in last week's game against Kidderminster but the man who deputised, put in an excellent performance and competition will be rife for the position.

Possible City line-up (right to left)

Marriott

Bloomer  Futcher  McAuley  Morgan   Peat

Butcher  Gain

Yeo   Carruthurs  Taylor-Fletcher

OXFORD UNITED

Oxford started the season reasonably well under Graham Rix and were quickly in the playoff race but results recently, haven't gone well and the former Chelsea coach is under pressure to get results following defeats at home to Darlington (2-1) and a thumping at Yeovil (6-1). Rix's record isn't impressive since taking over as manager of Oxford and a free fall down the table seems inevitable.

RIX'S RECORD

Last season: 0-0 v Doncaster (h), 1-2 v Northampton (a), 1-3 v Mansfield (a), 0-0 v Boston (h), 0-3 v Torquay (a), 0-2 v Darlington (a), 2-2 v Cambridge (h), 1-2 v Macclesfield (a), 2-0 v Rochdale (h).

This season: 0-1 v Boston (a), 1-0 v Mansfield (h), 1-1 v Scunthorpe (h), 0-0 v L Orient (a), 0-2 v Reading (h), 2-0 v Shrewsbury (h), 1-0 v Notts Co (a), 1-1 v Wycombe (a), 0-0 v Rushden (h), 1-6 v Yeovil (a), 3-1 v Bury (h), 2-2 v Exeter (lost on pens) (h), 0-2 v Bristol Rov (a), 1-2 v Darlington (h).

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST OXFORD UNITED

Oxford returned to this Division in the 2001/2 season and the Imps won the first game 1-0 but since then, the Imps have lost all but 1 of the matches scoring just once in the last 5 games and City haven't scored in 400 minutes of football against the O's.

SEASON 2003/4

Oxford 0 Lincoln City 0

Lincoln City 0 Oxford United 1

SEASON 1997/8

Lincoln City 0 Oxford United 1

Oxford United 1 Lincoln City 0

PREDICTIONS

Erm, no comment.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes