Oxford United will look to keep their play-off hopes alive when they welcome Lincoln City to the Kassam Stadium on Friday night (March 26).
The U's are 11th in League One and three points behind sixth-placed Blackpool, who have two games in hand. Due to the Seasiders' superior goal difference, Karl Robinson's men will need to win by five goals to overtake them.
Michael Appleton's Imps enter the game inside the play-off places, sitting fourth and nine points above Oxford. However, they are without a win in four games and missing several key players. Victory would see them climb to third and one point off the automatic promotion places.
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Team news
James Henry and Elliot Lee could return for the hosts after their respective injuries, while Sam Long will remain sidelined.
Lincoln's top-scorer Jorge Grant suffered ankle ligament damage against Plymouth Argyle in February and is still a few weeks away from returning.
Tom Hopper has a hamstring issue and could miss the remainder of the season, while Brennan Johnson is on international duty with Wales.
Defender Adam Jackson tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and is likely to be replaced by Timothy Eyoma.
The Imps will also be without Joe Walsh (calf) and Max Sanders (hamstring).
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Predicted lineups
Oxford United
Stevens; Forde, Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels; Kelly, Rodriguez, Brannagan; Sykes, Taylor, Barker. (4-3-3)
Lincoln City
Palmer; Poole, Eyoma, Montsma, Bramall; Edun, McGrandles, Bridcutt, Rogers; Scully, Morton. (4-4-2)
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Form guide
Oxford lost their last two outings against Blackpool and most recently Northampton Town. They have also lost three of their previous four games and have been struggling for goals of late, as has top-scorer Matty Taylor. However, the 30-year-old scored a brace when they beat Doncaster Rovers 3-0 on March 16 to take his season tally to 13.
Last six - D W L W L L
Lincoln need to turn their form around quickly if they are to achieve promotion this season. Not only are they winless in four, just one of their previous eight games has seen them collect three points. Grant could return in mid-April, which would be a massive boost for the side.
Last six - L W D L L D
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Ones to watch
Josh Ruffels – Oxford United
Previously a midfielder, Appleton gave Ruffels a run of games at left-back while managing the U's. He has played there regularly since Robinson took over in 2018. With five goals and five assists in all competitions this season, he could cause his former manager some problems.
Morgan Rogers – Lincoln City
Rogers joined the Imps on loan until the end of the season in January from Manchester City. The 18-year-old has made 16 appearances and scored six goals. Three of those have come in his last five outings, and his form could prove vital to Lincoln achieving a top-six finish considering their injury issues.
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Previous meetings
The sides kicked off their league campaigns against one another in September. Lincoln ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Anthony Scully and Jackson.
Oxford won the three meetings before that, including a 6-0 away win in 2019, which saw Brentford's Tarique Fosu bag a hat-trick.
Earlier in the season...
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How watch
The match starts at 19:45 GMT and is available to watch on Sky Sports Football.