Imps looking for festive cheer

By Nathan Jackson
December 20 2003

The Imps will move into a playoff spot on Saturday if they can defeat Cheltenham Town on Saturday. After Doncaster's 3-1 win against Swansea on friday night, it means the Imps can now "leap frog" the swans and move up to 6th if results go our way although I can't see Torquay slipping up at Carlisle.

City finally return home after a very unhappy month on the road. The Imps have only won 1 of the last 4 games that has seen them been knocked out of both the FA Cup and LDV Vans Trophy's that to be honest, we shouldn't have got knocked out looking at the teams we were playing against. However, with a run of 7 consecutive wins at Sincil Bank, things are looking up the Imps as they can move back into a playoff spot.

TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

Suprise suprise, Green is still unavailable for selection but the returns of injured players Weaver, Richardson and Fletcher should see a mini revivial for the Imps. Many blamed Tuesday nights reverse at Halifax on their absence.

CHELTENHAM TOWN

After being a force in Division 3 since they got promoted from the conference, Cheltenham finally won promotion via the playoffs in the 2001/2 season after a 3-1 win over Rushden and Diamonds. However, the following season saw them relegated and they are in danger of slipping back into the conference if things don't improve for them soon.

Out of their 10 away games so far, Cheltenham have won just once whilst seeing 6 defeats. Those defeats came at Southend, Bristol Rovers, Scunthorpe, Boston, Mansfield and Torquay. So it's safe to say, their record in this region of the country isn't very good at all.

LAST TIME

What a long time in football 18 months is. The last time these 2 teams met was one of the last games of the 2001/2 season. Cheltenham were on course for a playoff spot whilst the Imps were struggling at the wrong end of the table. A late winner from Alsop gave Cheltenham a rather undeserved victory.

LAST 5 LEAGUE RESULTS AGAINST CHELTENHAM

CITY 0 C'NAM 1

C'NAM 2 CITY 1

CITY 1 C'NAM 0

PREDICTIONS

With Keith Alexander rumoured to be back in the stands for this game, a good performance from the Imps should see them secure a comfortable victory. 3-1.