Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Match Preview
A massive League One encounter takes place at the LNER Stadium on Sunday, 4 January 2026, as high-flying Lincoln City host resurgence Peterborough United. The Imps are enjoying a stellar season, sitting 2nd in the table with 45 points, occupying an automatic promotion spot. They head into this game on an impressive unbeaten run, despite being held to a 1тАУ1 draw by Huddersfield Town on New Year’s Day. Peterborough United, currently 11th with 32 points, have turned a corner under Luke Williams. Having won 3 of their last 4 matches, including a 2тАУ0 victory away at Rotherham on Jan 1st, the Posh are eyeing a late charge for the playoffs and will be looking to avenge the heavy 0тАУ3 defeat they suffered against Lincoln earlier this season.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Match Info
- Competition: League One (Matchday 26)
- Venue: LNER Stadium, Lincoln (Capacity: 10,669)
- Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026
- Kickoff: 12:00 GMT | 13:00 CET | 07:00 ET
- Referee: TBC (EFL Appointment)
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Match Stakes
Lincoln City (2nd тАФ 45 pts):
- Win тЖТ Moves to 48 pts; solidifies their grip on automatic promotion and keeps pressure on leaders Cardiff.
- Draw тЖТ Extends unbeaten streak but risks dropping points to the chasing pack (Stockport/Huddersfield).
- Loss тЖТ Could slip to 3rd if results go against them; ends their fortress-like home momentum.
Peterborough United (11th тАФ 32 pts):
- Win тЖТ Moves to 35 pts; closes the gap to the playoffs significantly.
- Draw тЖТ A solid point at one of the league’s toughest grounds; maintains unbeaten momentum.
- Loss тЖТ Stalls their recent revival; leaves them stuck in mid-table obscurity.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Team News
Lincoln City:
- Collins J. тАФ Out (Injury – Key Striker Missing)
- House B. тАФ Out (Inactive)
- Jackson A. тАФ Out (Inactive)
- Okagbue D. тАФ Questionable (Inactive)
- Forward Shuffle: With main strikers out, Freddie Draper and Rob Street will lead the line, supported by Jack Moylan’s creativity from midfield.
Peterborough United:
- Hughes S. тАФ Out (Achilles Tendon Injury – Season Long Absence)
- Mendy J. тАФ Out (Inactive)
- Mills H. тАФ Out (Inactive)
- Adebisi R. тАФ Out (Knee Injury)
- Defensive Stability: Tom Lees partners with O’Connor at the back, tasked with stopping Lincoln’s physical approach.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Lincoln City
- 01/01 тАФ 1тАУ1 vs Huddersfield Town (League One)
- 30/12 тАФ 2тАУ0 vs Barnsley (League One)
- 26/12 тАФ 2тАУ1 vs Stockport County (League One)
- 20/12 тАФ 2тАУ1 vs Cardiff City (League One)
- 13/12 тАФ 2тАУ2 vs Blackpool (League One)
Peterborough United
- 01/01 тАФ 2тАУ0 vs Rotherham United (League One)
- 30/12 тАФ 1тАУ1 vs Reading (League One)
- 26/12 тАФ 1тАУ0 vs Leyton Orient (League One)
- 20/12 тАФ 1тАУ0 vs Port Vale (League One)
- 13/12 тАФ 2тАУ1 vs Northampton Town (League One)
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 27/09/2025 тАФ Peterborough 0тАУ3 Lincoln (League One)
- 25/01/2025 тАФ Lincoln 5тАУ1 Peterborough (League One)
- 14/09/2024 тАФ Peterborough 1тАУ1 Lincoln (League One)
- 27/01/2024 тАФ Lincoln 0тАУ0 Peterborough (League One)
- 07/10/2023 тАФ Peterborough 2тАУ0 Lincoln (League One)
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Lincoln City (3-5-2)
Wickens; Hamer, O’Connor, Bradley; Darikwa, McGrandles, Bayliss, Moylan, Reach; Draper, Street
Peterborough United (4-2-3-1)
Bass; Kioso, Lees, O’Connor, Johnston; Collins, Woods; Garbett, Morgan, Lisbie; Leonard
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Impact Bench
Lincoln City: Hackett-Fairchild (Pace on wing), McKiernan (Midfield energy)
Peterborough United: Mothersille (Goal threat), De Havilland (Creative option)
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Tactical Analysis
Lincoln City
Under Michael Skubala, Lincoln have become a relentless machine. They press high and use their wing-backs (Darikwa and Reach) to stretch the play. Without James Collins, they rely on goals from midfieldтАФTom Bayliss and Jack Moylan have been chipping in regularly. They will look to exploit Peterborough’s fatigue from the New Year’s schedule by keeping the tempo high.
Peterborough United
The Posh have tightened up defensively, conceding only 1 goal in their last 4 games. They will likely set up to frustrate Lincoln, using Archie Collins to dictate the tempo in midfield. Their threat comes from quick transitions, with Ricky-Jade Jones (if involved) or the pace of Kyandel Lisbie on the wings. They must avoid conceding early, as Lincoln are expert game managers when ahead.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Key Battles
- Draper vs Lees тАФ Young striker vs veteran defender.
- Bayliss vs Collins тАФ The battle for midfield supremacy.
- Darikwa vs Johnston тАФ Lincoln’s captain driving forward vs Posh’s left-back.
- Wickens vs Leonard тАФ GK needs to be alert to Posh’s counter-attacks.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Spotlight Players
Lincoln City тАФ Jack Moylan
The Irishman has been a revelation in the #10 role. His ability to find pockets of space and shoot from distance makes him Lincoln’s most dangerous player in the absence of their main strikers.
Peterborough United тАФ Harry Leonard
Leading the line for Posh, Leonard has a big responsibility. He needs to hold up the ball effectively to bring the wide players into the game and offer an outlet when Peterborough are under pressure.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Prediction
Lincoln City 2тАУ1 Peterborough United
Peterborough are in great form, but Lincoln at home are a different beast. The Imps have won the last two meetings by an aggregate score of 8тАУ1. While it won’t be that easy this time, Lincoln’s momentum and home advantage should see them edge a tight contest to stay in the automatic promotion spots.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Betting Insights
- Lincoln City to Win тАФ Value Bet.
- Over 2.5 Goals тАФ Likely (History suggests goals in this fixture).
- Both Teams to Score тАФ YES.
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports+
- International: iFollow Imps / Posh+
Lincoln City vs Peterborough United тАФ FAQs
Q: When is the Lincoln vs Peterborough match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at 12:00 GMT.
Q: Is James Collins playing?
A: No. Lincoln’s striker is ruled out with an injury.
Q: Who is the favorite?
A: Lincoln City are favorites due to their 2nd place league position and strong home record.
Call to Action тАФ SportsphereArena Community
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