Lincoln City vs Hartlepool Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Lincoln’s six cup matches this season
• The Imps are on a run of just two clean sheets in 17 outings
• Hartlepool’s only win since Dave Challinor’s departure was in the FA Cup, against League One Wycombe

Lincoln Out Of Sorts

Sincil Bank has been a fortress for Lincoln in recent years, but they have only won two of their home league games this season, conceding 13 times and scoring just eight.

Michael Appleton’s side booked their place in the second round courtesy of a slender 1-0 win over minnows Bowers and Pitsea, their only victory in six, while they have not beaten Football League opposition at home since a 2-1 defeat of Charlton in mid-October.

Their real downfall has been keeping clean sheets, managing just two in seventeen matches. They are facing League Two opposition here, but their defence will still be in for a tough afternoon.

Pools Wanting To Impress

Hartlepool appointed their former defender Graeme Lee as their new boss on Wednesday, so it is likely that his arrival, as often is the case, will bring the usual ‘new manager bounce’.

Any return to form will be much needed. The Monkey Hangers have lost three in a row, while their recent away record includes seven defeats from nine outings.

They have conceded 20 times in ten away league games, netting just six goals at the other end, but it is not implausible that they could cause Lincoln problems.

They have already beaten League One outfit Wycombe in the FA Cup this season (by a replay after the initial tie ended 2-2), and I think they will score in this one. I predict the tie will go to a replay after a 1-1 draw.