The Imps need a result here today because the side clearly do not fancy Aldershot on the last day at a place they do not like to call home. They needn’t be and should share our faith, albeit faltering faith at times. Oxford are beatable and you fancy at least a draw today with Barnet shorn of Kabba ahead of a tough ask at Accrington. So go for a win, take a point and see the bees final sting succumb to what nature intended.
Northampton will also struggle today at home to Stevenage who have all but cemented a playoff spot in a glorious first season in the Football league. This time last year a 0-2 win at Kidderminster set the champagne corks popping, this season could be another rung achieved.
The Teams & Schemes
Oxford 4-3-3
Clarke
Purkiss Worley Wright Tonkin
McLaren Hall Payne
Potter Craddock Constable
Imps 4-4-2
Parish
Hughton Green Hone Anderson
Howell Keltie Kilbey McCallum (Y)
Broughton Grimes
Recent Close encounters of the Adademic Kind
Yes take heart the Imp hordes who venture to the The Kassam Kasbah this afternoon, for we are Oxford’s bogey team. If our three one win was not evidence enough we have won the previous 4 and drawn the one before that. It has not always been a bed of roses in Oxfordshire, of the 14 games played in we have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 9. but you need a good memory for that.
The last time the two teams met in the City of Spires, The Imps shaded a scrappy pre Christamas affair on 16/12/2005 in front of 3,795 (225 Imps). Gary Birch and Lee Beevers hit the bar before loanee Logan headed home a Scott Kerr cross to give KA’s heroes the points. Oxford would go down at the end of that season whilst the Imps went on to lose both playoff legs to Grimsby Town. How times change, their will be twice that there today with both sides having polar perspectives.
| Season | Date | Team | Result | Team | Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Tue 01 Mar | Lincoln City | 3 - 1 | Oxford Utd. | League Two |
| 2005/2006 | Fri 16 Dec | Oxford Utd. | 0 - 1 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2005/2006 | Sat 20 Aug | Lincoln City | 2 - 1 | Oxford Utd. | League Two |
| 2004/2005 | Sat 05 Feb | Lincoln City | 3 - 0 | Oxford Utd. | League Two |
| 2004/2005 | Sat 16 Oct | Oxford Utd. | 0 - 1 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2003/2004 | Sat 10 Jan | Oxford Utd. | 0 - 0 | Lincoln City | League Division Three |
| 2003/2004 | Sat 09 Aug | Lincoln City | 0 - 1 | Oxford Utd. | League Division Three |
For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here
Recent respective form guides
Oxford have drawn their last four games, with 17 goal James Constable netting a brace in Saturdays fight back to 2-2 at Barnet. Oxford United are not in the best of form at home, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats in their last six with 8 goals for and 7 against. For the full FORM OF THE FOE click me
The Imps away form has faltered but it is definitely not as bad as things at home. Although there have been no wins to shout about there have been two draws, Crewe last time out 1-1, to go with 4 defeats. We have scored 4 conceded 9 and held Bury and Crewe to just the one goal, suggesting Constable, Craddock and Potter can be stopped. Lets not get too carried away as we have drawn 2 and lost 7 of our last 9 with that 2-1 win over Southend at the Bank our only win in 10. Dare I say it Relegation form? It is but those 5 wins on the spin should have saved us.
Current overall team form
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford United | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Lincoln City | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
For a detailed analysis of current team form guides in this or any division, click here
Lincoln City Mad' s prediction ...
Neil:- A win I hope, had to cover the non league last season for work and would not want to do it for pleasure next
Dr Done - An Imps win of course
Vic Erzantarz - 0-0 draw look at Oxford's sequence
Ivan Impgrass - Defeat we are a side on the slide and our tight board will rue not bringing in a centre half when the goal difference comes home to roost.
Sequence statistics
| Team | Sequences |
|---|---|
| Oxford United | Drawn last 2 games at home. Failed to win in previous 2 home matches. Drawn each of their last 4 games. Not won in the 5 most recent games. |
| Lincoln City | Not won in previous 9 away matches. An overall losing run of 2 games. No win in the 9 most recent games. |
For a detailed analysis of current team sequences throughout the leagues, click here