Sports Mole previews Monday’s FA Cup clash between Chesham United and Lincoln City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sixth-tier Chesham United will look to pull off an FA Cup upset when they welcome League One Lincoln City to the Meadow for Monday’s first-round tie.
The hosts have won four of their last five games, while the Imps head into the contest off the back of consecutive victories.
Match preview
© Imago
Chesham are competing in the first round in back-to-back seasons after they successfully negotiated their way through three qualifying ties.
The Generals recorded a 2-0 away win over Cray Valley, before they thrashed Bishop’s Cleeve 4-0 in a replay after the initial game had produced a goalless draw.
Chesham then got the better of National League side Yeovil Town, with Jack Cawley scoring a stoppage-time winner to send his side into the first round proper.
Having lost their last two first-round ties, Chesham are looking to reach round two for the first time since beating Bristol Rovers 1-0 in November 2015.
The Generals, who occupy tenth place in the National League, will certainly head into Monday’s fixture in a confident mood, having put together a five-game unbeaten run as well as winning their last three competitive home games.
Meanwhile, Lincoln will carry some momentum into the cup tie after bouncing back from consecutive defeats to take maximum points from their last two league games.
The Imps recorded a 2-1 victory over Stockport County at the LNER Stadium, before they repeated that scoreline in another home game against Northampton Town.
Tom Hamer and Erik Ring both found the net against the Cobblers to fire Lincoln to their seventh league win of the season (D3, L3), leaving them in fifth place and two points adrift of the playoffs.
Lincoln will now put their promising league campaign on hold as they look to avoid a third consecutive first-round exit after losing to Chippenham and Morecambe in the last two seasons.
The visitors have only lost one of their seven competitive away games this term (W4, D2), but that defeat did take place in their most recent away game against Crawley Town.
Chesham United FA Cup form:
Chesham United form (all competitions):
Lincoln City form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Chesham boss James Duncan is likely to select a back four consisting of Connor Stevens, Callum Adebiyi, Steve Brown and Alexander Lafleur.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Nathan Minhas is set to be given the responsibility of leading the line after scoring five goals in 11 league appearances this season.
As for Lincoln, they are expected to be without the services of Adam Jackson, Dylan Duffy, Tom Bayliss and Tyler Walker.
Midfielder Ethan Erhahon is also a doubt after he missed the win over Northampton due to an injury issue.
Hamer was forced off in first-half stoppage time against the Cobblers and could be replaced by Lewis Montsma if he fails to prove his fitness for Monday’s fixture.
Chesham United possible starting lineup:
Goode; Stevens, Adebiyi, Brown, Lafleur; Rolfe, Lodge; Rowe, Weiss, Essan; Minhas
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Montsma, O’Connor, Roughan; Darikwa, Hamilton, McGrandles, Jefferies, Hackett; Cadamarteri, House
We say: Chesham United 1-2 Lincoln City
Lincoln will be the favourites to progress from this first-round time, and while we think they may be in for a tricky evening, we believe their football league quality will help them claim a narrow win to seal a place in the second round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.