Lincoln v Crawley preview
Friday 7 September 2018 14:33, UK
Lincoln will be without Michael O'Connor for the visit of Crawley.
The midfielder was sent off in the Checkatrade Trophy loss to Mansfield in midweek and will now serve a three-game ban. Striker Matt Green has returned to training after missing the last two games and will be in contention at Sincil Bank.
James Wilson is also on the comeback trail after a hamstring injury, but this weekend might come too soon.
Newly appointed Crawley manager Gabriele Cioffi will attend the game but the team will be managed by Filipe Morais and Jimmy Smith. The Italian has replaced Harry Kewell on a three-year deal with the League Two club.
New signings Bondz N'Gala and Joe Maguire could make their first starts in the league having featured in the Checkatrade Trophy win against Tottenham Under-21s. Winger Luke Gambin is looking to make his first appearance since joining on loan from Luton.
Opta stats
This will be only the third meeting between Lincoln and Crawley in the Football League, with the Imps winless in the two matches (D1 L1).
Lincoln's home game against Crawley ended 0-0 in their first ever meeting in October 2017; no team has drawn 0-0 on more occasions in League Two since the start of last season than Lincoln (9).
With 16 points out of a possible 18 to start the League Two campaign (P6 W5 D1 L0), this is Lincoln's joint-best ever start to a season in the Football League, having also accrued 16 points after six matches in 1989-90. However, they went on to finish 10th in that campaign.
Away from home, Crawley Town have lost each of their last three matches in all competitions; they last lost four in a row within the same season in December 2016 (seven straight defeats).
Ollie Palmer has scored five of Crawley's eight goals in League Two so far this season, although four of those have come at the Broadfield Stadium.
Prutton's prediction
Lincoln have had a fantastic start to the season and already look hot favourites for promotion. There's a long old way to go but Danny Cowley's side have been superb so far and will hope to keep building on this momentum.
Crawley are without a permanent manager following Harry Kewell's departure to Notts County, and will still be under the caretaker charge of playing duo Filipe Morais and Jimmy Smith. Home win for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
