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Match Previews

Preview: Lincoln City (A)

Notts face must-win game at Sincil Bank to keep Checkatrade Trophy hopes alive

7 November 2017

Match Previews

Preview: Lincoln City (A)

Notts face must-win game at Sincil Bank to keep Checkatrade Trophy hopes alive

7 November 2017

Notts County travel to Lincoln City in the Checkatrade Trophy needing a win to progress to the next phase of the competition.

The Magpies won their opening Group G game 2-1 against Everton before falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Mansfield Town in their next outing.

And, after the Stags beat the Toffees last week to move to six points from their three games, Kevin Nolan's side go to Sincil Bank knowing anything less than a victory will end their chances of reaching Wembley.

The Imps are defending a 100% record in the competition and only need a point to finish top of the group to ensure home advantage in the next stage.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan says...

"It's a big game. We've got lads who need gametime, it's a derby and if we win we go through.

"After our fantastic win on Friday we want to carry that forward, and then take it on to Stevenage."

Click here for more from the manager.

Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley says...

"We'll move the squad around and it might give us the opportunity to look at a couple of the younger players.

"But we want home advantage [in the next round], especially with our home form.

"We're taking this competition seriously because we can realistically win it."

Team news

Adam Collin and Michael O'Connor remain sidelined for the Magpies.

Cowley, meanwhile, could start the likes of Paul Farman and Elliott Whitehouse, while youngsters Ellis Chapman and Danny Horton are also expected to be in his squad.

Dangerman: Jordan Maguire-Drew

After scoring 15 times in 46 appearances for Dagenham and Redbridge during a loan spell last season, the winger made another temporary move away from Brighton this summer to spend 2017-18 with the Imps.

Following a slow start to the campaign, he scored his first goals in the red and white stripes by bagging a brace against Everton under 21s in Lincoln's second group stage game, which was enough to secure a 2-1 victory.

We've met before...

The two sides last met in September, when Notts beat the 10-man Imps 4-1 at Meadow Lane.

Billy Knott was sent off for a high challenge on Ryan Yates before Jon Stead gave the Magpies a narrow half-time lead.

Harry Anderson equalised within two minutes of the restart but Notts eventually took control and romped to victory.

Matt Tootle arrowed in a shot after collecting Jon Stead's cross and Jorge Grant's superb free-kick doubled the lead.

Terry Hawkridge's first goal for Notts - against his former employers no less - wrapped up the three points in the closing stages.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 2/1 outsiders to get the win they need to progress to the next round, while the Imps are 11/8 to maintain their 100% record. The draw, which would see the match go to a penalty shootout, is available at 12/5.

Notts' last win at Sincil Bank was a 3-0 success in September 2009 and a repeat result can be backed at 33/1 this evening.

Both of the Magpies' Checkatrade Trophy fixtures so far have had a 2-1 scoreline and a Notts win by that score is 10/1.

Terry Hawkridge scored his first and only Notts goal in September's league meeting and is 10/1 to be the first name on the scoresheet tonight.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.


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