City will head to Lancashire this weekend to face Blackpool, chasing a third straight league victory as festive football approaches.
Blackpool Form
Since their relegation from the Championship in 2023, Blackpool have struggled to find any real consistency in the third tier, enduring two underwhelming seasons in which the Seasiders finished in mid-table positions. A very disappointing first half of this campaign has resulted in the sacking of Steve Bruce, 10 league defeats, and Blackpool sitting 22nd in League One as Christmas approaches. With Ian Evatt now in charge, the Lancashire outfit will look to climb up the league standings and ensure they aren’t involved in a relegation dogfight come May.
The Seasiders kicked off their 25/26 campaign at home to Stevenage, where goals from George Honeyman and Niall Ennis weren’t enough in a 3-2 defeat for Blackpool. A week later, the Tangerines’ trip to Exeter ended in a heavy 4–1 loss, compounding their poor start to the season. They rallied with a 3–2 win over Huddersfield, but further defeats to Mansfield and Plymouth meant just three points from the first 15 available.
Blackpool’s poor form dragged on through September and October, and after a 2–0 home defeat to Wimbledon, Steve Bruce was dismissed with the club languishing in 23rd, having won just two of their opening 13 games. Bruce’s replacement was determined swiftly, with Ian Evatt stepping into the vacant role at Bloomfield Road a week later.
Evatt, who appeared 230 times as a player for Blackpool, kicked off his tenure at the Seasiders with a vital 2-1 win over Peterborough, and a fortnight later, backed that up with a 3-1 victory over league-leaders Cardiff City at Bloomfield Road. However, the Tangerines’ momentum soon stalled, collecting just a single point from their next three matches — a 1–1 draw at Leyton Orient.
During the week, the Tangerines emphatically swept aside Rotherham United 3–0 at the New York Stadium, sealing their second league away win of the season.
Team News
Oliver Casey is still a fitness concern for Blackpool after missing the victory at Rotherham with an abdominal problem. Regardless, Ian Evatt may be inclined to stick with the same starting XI that put in a strong display at the New York Stadium. Ashley Fletcher continued his fine run by scoring late on, taking his tally to six goals in eight appearances across all competitions.
For Lincoln, Michael Skubala could also resist changes after an impressive win over Barnsley. Reeco Hackett is likely to keep his place after striking twice during Tuesday’s game to make it three goals in his last two outings. In terms of absentees, experienced forward James Collins will miss the rest of the season due to a cruciate injury, while Ben House remains unavailable with a knee issue.
Match Referee
REFEREE: Sebastian Stockbridge
Linesmen: Kevin Mulraine and Oliver Nolan
Fourth Official: Declan Brown Oliver
Stockbridge officiated his first EFL game at the beginning of the 19/20 season, and has since refereed 175 games in the Football League. This season, Stockbridge has presided over 16 league matches, with nine taking place in the third tier. In those nine games, he gave out 45 yellow cards, one red and awarded no spot kicks.
During the week, Stockbridge officiated the fourth tier clash between Fleetwood and Salford City, giving out three yellow cards in a 1-1 draw.
Previous Meetings
Since Blackpool’s victory over the Imps in the 20/21 League One play-off final, the sides have met four times in league action, with City winning one, drawing one and losing two. Lincoln’s last victory over the Seasiders came back in August 2023, when goals from Danny Mandroiu, Ethan Erhahon and Teddy Bishop sealed a 3-0 win at Sincil Bank.
Last season, a 95th‑minute strike from Tom Hamer earned the Imps a point at Bloomfield Road, and in our most recent meeting, Blackpool claimed all three points with a 2–0 win at Sincil Bank.
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