Lincoln v Portsmouth: team news, predicted starting XIs, match odds, key stats and more before kick-off

That defeat saw the Blues drop to seventh in the table and outside the play-off positions as the standings begin to take shape.

Kenny Jackett’s side currently sit five points and four places behind the Imps in the table, with Michael Appleton’s side the division’s surprise package so far.

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Pompey will therefore want to narrow that gap and make the rest of their rivals sit up and take notice with a win against high-flying Lincoln on their home soil.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.

Lincoln team news

Imps centre-back Joe Walsh will be out for a sustained period of time after suffering knee cartilage damage.

The former MK Dons man has been described as a ‘Rolls Royce’ by manager Michael Appleton and his absence – expected to be 12 weeks – represents a huge blow.

Walsh was replaced by the returning Adam Jackson in Lincoln's 1-0 defeat to Doncaster at the weekend.

The ex-Pompey manager will also be without his captain Liam Bridcutt for the next few games after he suffered a thigh setback in the Imps’ 1-0 win over Crewe.

Striker Callum Morton, on loan from West Brom, is expected to have surgery on a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, tonight’s game looks like it will come too soon for Max Melbourne as he recovers from a quad problem.

Predicted line-up

Alex Palmer, Timothy Eyoma, Lewis Montsma, AdaM Jackson, Tayo Edun, Conor McGrandles, Jorge Grant, James Jones, Harry Anderson, Tom Hopper, Brennan Johnson.

Subs: Ethan Ross, Anthony Scully, Theo Archibald, Ramirez Howarth, Jamie Soule, Robbie Gotts, Sean Roughan.

Pompey team news

Injured centre-half Jack Whatmough will be missing for Pompey as Kenny Jackett takes his side to Sincil Bank tonight (7pm)

The defender, who has been a key player for the Blues this season, is facing three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Charlton at Fratton Park.

Whatmough’s injury hands Rasmus Nicolaisen the chance to finally show what he can do in a Pompey shirt.

The on-loan Midtjylland defender has had to be patient since arriving in September.

He’s made just four appearances to date, with the EFL game against Southend representing his only start.

However, Nicolaisen is expected to start alongside Sean Raggett in the centre of the Pompey defence, with the latter set to switch to the right-hand side of the pairing.

Winger Michael Jacobs remains out with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, manager Kenny Jackett must decide whether to freshen things up after Saturday’s defeat against the Addicks.

Ellis Harrison is pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Charlton following a hamstring injury

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Sean Raggett. Rasmus Nicolaisen, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness, John Marquis.

Subs: Alex Bass, Haji Mnoga, Cam Pring, Ben Close, Bryn Morris, Ellis Harrison, Jordy Hiwula.

Referee

Carl Brooks (Sussex)

Match-day odds (bet365)

Lincoln: 9/5

1-0 17/2, 2-0 14/1, 2-1 9/1, 3-0 28/1, 3-1 20/1, 3-2 28/1

Pompey: 6/4

1-0 8/1, 2-0 12/1, 2-1 9/1, 3-0 22/1, 3-1 20/1, 3-2 28/1

Draw: 9/4

0-0 10/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 12/1, 3-3 40/1

Lincoln stats

Top scorer: Jorge Grant (6)

Top assists: Jorge Grant (5)

Most appearances: Timothy Eyoma and Jorge Grant (15)

Pompey stats

Top scorer: Marcus Harness and John Marquis (7)

Top assists: Ryan Williams and Ronan Curtis (3)

Most appearances: John Marquis and Ronan Curtis (14)

Form guide

Lincoln: P15 W10 D2 L3

Past five games:

L 1-0 Doncaster (A) League One

W 1-0 Crewe (A) League One

W 1-0 Ipswich (H) League One

W 2-0 Plymouth (H) League One

D 0-0 Fleetwood (A) League One

Pompey: P14 W7 D3 L4

Past five games:

L 2-0 Charlton (H) League One

W 4-0 Northampton (H) League One

W 3-1 Sunderland (A) League One

W 2-0 Gillingham (A) League One

L 1-0 Doncaster (H) - League One

Other fixtures (all 7pm kick-offs unless stated)

Shrewsbury v Burton (6pm), Blackpool v Wigan Athletic, Bristol Rovers v Peterborough United, Charlton Athletic v Fleetwood Town, Crewe Alexandra v Gillingham, Oxford United v Rochdale, Plymouth v Swindon Town, Sunderland v Ipswich Town, AFC Wimbledon v Doncaster Rovers (7.45pm), Northampton Town v MK Dons (7.45pm).