Stevenage vs Lincoln City Predictions

Having beaten MK Dons in their previous match, Stevenage would’ve gone into their last game feeling confident, though any such feelings were soon quashed, as they were beaten 3-2 away at Swindon. After that disappointing result, Dino Maamria’s men will be looking to bounce back when they welcome Lincoln to Broadhall Way on Saturday afternoon.

Consistency has eluded Stevenage of late, but those in attendance at any of their games cannot complain about a lack of entertainment, as the goals have been flying in left, right and centre. Each of their last four matches have seen four or more goals in, while there’s been five scored in three of those. While such games are enjoyable for the neutral, manager Dino Maamria would prefer that his side tighten up at the back and regain some consistency.

On paper, it looks as though Stevenage could’ve been unlucky to be edged out by three goals to two away at Swindon last time out, but if anything, the score-line flattered the Boro, as they were outplayed. A better performance will be needed if Saturday’s hosts are to get the better of the side currently sat in 2^nd.

Fortunately, Broadhall Way is where Stevenage have played their best football this season. Maamria’s men have won six out of ten in front of a home crowd, while they’ve kept a respectable four clean sheets during that time and have scored 14 goals. Their underlying numbers aren’t amazing, but they’re respectable. The Boro are averaging 1.58 expected goals for and are conceding 1.33 at the other end, while they’ve proved that they can turn it on against the best, as their deserved win over league leaders MK Dons a fortnight ago proved.

Lincoln are one of the better teams in League Two, but they too have been slightly underwhelming on the road at times. The Imps have won five of their ten travelling matches during the current campaign, but they’ve only won one of their last four, while their last two away performances especially haven’t been great. They weren’t convincing when drawing 1-1 away at Oldham last time out, while they were outplayed when losing away at Colchester prior to that, so there’s hope for the hosts, who despite not being the most consistent can turn it out at home.

Lincoln’s underlying numbers on the road are reasonably pleasing, as they’re averaging 1.67 expected goals for and are shipping 1.23 at the other end, but they’re not so good that a case can be made for the travelling side at such a skinny price. Frankly, there’s less between the pair than the current prices suggest.

In the betting, it’s not at all hard to plump for the hosts. It’s true that Stevenage have been a bit up and down, even at home, some of their better efforts would certainly be enough if Lincoln perform as they have done in each of their last two on the road. Having deservedly beat the league leaders when last in action at this venue Stevenage are simply too big a price and are thus backed to get a favourable result.