Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Derby
Match Time & Date:
21/12/2023
20:45
Prediction: 2-1
Lincoln
An eagerly-awaited game between Derby County and Lincoln will open round 23 of the new League One campaign. The Rams aim to stay in the playoffs berth and you should know that they are eyeing their sixth home win of the process. Tom Barkhuizen is pushing for a rare start after scoring as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Wycombe, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
Meanwhile, the Imps are undefeated in the previous five league matches. Lincoln aim to move closer to top six, but given Derby County’s fine home record in the 2023/2024 League One season, we do not believe that the visitors are capable of grabbing something from the match. As for the away team, midfielder Alistair Smith could be recalled to the starting XI after coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Reading at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Conor Hourihane):
Conor Hourihane is an Irish footballer who plays for Barnsley. The midfielder was born on 2 February, 1991 and he started his youth career at Premier League club Sunderland. In 2011 he joined Plymouth Argyle and he spent three years at Home Park.
After scoring 15 goals in 125 appearances for the Pilgrims in 2014 Hourihane decided to take next big step in his career. On 23 June he signed a three-year deal with Barnsley for a fee of £250,000. In August he won the League One Player of the Month award and, no doubt, he made a flying start to his Barnsley career. Hourihane made 46 appearances for the Tykes in the 2014/2015 League One campaign, scoring 15 goals and he certainly helped the team return to the Championship.
The Irish midfielder has eight caps for the U-21 team. His main position is central midfield, but he is capable of playing as defensive and left midfielder as well. Conor Hourihane is a right-footed footballer.
Highlighted Team (Lincoln):
Lincoln City are one of the oldest clubs competing in the League One as they were founded back in 1884. Lincoln City FC were established as an amateur association, but they turned professional in the 1891/1892 season.
Back then they played at John O’Gaunts stadium, but nowadays Sincil Bank is the club’s home ground. Sincil Bank was opened in 1895, holding up to 10,120 people. The club’s main colours are red, white and black, whilst the Imps wear green shirts and white shorts when playing on the road. Lincoln City and Mansfield Town are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals, but the Limps had some sort of local rivalry with Peterborough United, Hull City and York City as well.
Albert Iremonger (42 years and 312 days) is the oldest footballer to have played for the club, whilst Shane Nicholson (16 years and 112 days) is the youngest one. Lincoln City recorded a thrilling 9-1 victory over then local rivals Sleaford in their first game.
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