The Imps host the Seasiders at Sincil Bank this weekend in a game that will have repercussions at both the top and bottom of League One, writes Kyle Fox.
Ian Evatt’s side find themselves sitting in 19th position on 37 points at the time of writing, just three points above the drop zone while also having played a game fewer. Leyton Orient and Wigan sit immediately below Blackpool, with both teams also holding a game in hand. They rank 23rd out of 24 teams for overall away results this campaign (3W, 3D, 10L), while also being the joint fifth-lowest scorers away from home and fourth for goals conceded on the road.
The Tangerines have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 of their 17 home matches and in 14 of their 16 away matches. That record is even more concerning when looking at their five most recent away games, as they failed to keep a clean sheet in any of them. However, they have scored twice in each of their two most recent outings on the road. Evatt’s team have not won away from home since beating Wigan 2-0 on 20th December, and their only victory in their last six fixtures came at home to Mansfield last Tuesday evening.
Blackpool Form
After a horrendous start to the season, with just two wins in their first 13 league matches and Blackpool placed bottom of the table, Ian Evatt’s arrival sparked an overall upturn in both results and performances. The best example of this came in December, when his team played five times, won four of them and were held to a draw just once — ironically by the Imps.
In the ten games that have followed, Blackpool have regressed again, winning just twice, drawing twice and losing six times, with two particularly heavy defeats against Plymouth and Port Vale. However, they have scored two goals in each of their most recent away games against Huddersfield and Bolton.
The Seasiders rank fourth-highest for goals conceded (50 overall), 21st for goals conceded per match (1.50), 19th for clean sheets (7) and 22nd for xG conceded (50.1). The metrics show they have been relatively efficient in front of goal, considering they sit 14th for goals per match (1.20) while ranking 24th for overall xG (32.2) and 23rd for xG difference (-17.9). They are 14th for big chances created (64), 12th for big chances missed (42), 18th for shots on target per match (3.40) and have recorded 635 touches in the opposition’s box.
They have scored 40 league goals, with striker Ashley Fletcher playing a vital role — contributing 13 goals (around 32% of the total) as well as four assists.
Alternatively, Lincoln performed professionally away at Mansfield in difficult conditions to stretch their unbeaten run to an outstanding 16 games. Jack Moylan won a penalty just before half-time, allowing Rob Street to convert from 12 yards and give Lincoln the lead. The Imps then leaned on their regimented out-of-possession work to stifle Mansfield’s attacks before sealing the win in the 95th minute through a quick counter-attack.
Team News
Thanks to January signings and players returning from injury, Ian Evatt will have a much stronger squad to utilise for this fixture. After weeks of balancing an injury-stricken squad, George Honeyman returned last week and came off the bench to score in their draw against Bolton. Hayden Coulson and Fraser Horsfall returned a couple of weeks ago and have both made significant impacts since coming back.
Blackpool fans will also be pleased to hear that Joel Randall is fit enough to be in contention for this weekend’s squad, along with potentially key defender Michael Ihiekwe. Albie Morgan remains sidelined following a recent operation, as does Michael Obafemi for the same reason. Andy Lyons, Kamarl Grant and Dale Taylor all remain unavailable.
The extent of Freddie Draper’s injury is still unknown and will be assessed week by week while further investigations take place. Adam Jackson is back on the grass doing individual training, whereas Josh Honohan remains a few weeks away. There appears to be no fresh injury concerns otherwise, so Imps fans can take some reassurance despite Draper’s situation.
Blackpool Predicted XI
Peacock-Farrell; Ashworth, Horsfall, Casey, Brown; Anderson, Honeyman, Walters; Coulson, Ennis, Fletcher.
Previous Meetings
The last meeting came in December 2025 in an entertaining 2-2 draw. Jack Moylan opened the scoring with a brilliant finish inside three minutes before Rob Street added a second in the 18th minute. It was a fantastic start for Lincoln, who were clinical with their limited chances to move two goals ahead early on.
A penalty was awarded to Blackpool in the 34th minute, which ultimately changed the trajectory and feel of the game. After withstanding significant second-half pressure, just when Lincoln may have thought they could see the game out, the Tangerines equalised through Ashley Fletcher.
Blackpool are unbeaten against Lincoln in the last four meetings, winning twice and drawing twice. The last time the Imps claimed victory in this fixture was in August 2023, when they ran out 3-0 winners.
Prediction
Lincoln 2-1 Blackpool
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