Weather likely to decide outcome

A draw at Orient on Tuesday night meant that City missed out on the chance to go third but have the chance to do it this Saturday if the game at Cheltenham goes ahead. Going into the 80th minute, City were heading for 3rd spot as the late kick off meant that we already knew everyone else's results before the final whistle, however, a late equaliser caused the Imps to drop a place rather than raise by 2. The race for 3rd place is extremely tight. Scunny are 2nd with 60 points, Swansea, Southend and Macclesfield are all on 57, City are on 55 with Darlo taking up the final playoff place on 51. Many feel that anything but a win would end City's realistic challenege for 3rd spot unless results miraculously go our way, either way, the Imps will definatly catch up furthur with either Swansea or Scunny who meet at the Vetch.

Blah Blah Blah, same old stuff you're about to think but no, GTF could possibly miss the game after limping off at Orient, however, even worse news for the Imps is that in form striker Simon Yeo could be out due to being snowed in at his family home in Stockport. The striker has failed to make training since the game at Orient due to the adverse weather recently but should realistically make the match (if it goes ahead that is). New signing Lee Beevers could possibly get his first start depending on the formation Keith decides to play. Speaking of foramations, Keith did a first against Orient, for the first time since the beginning of his second spell at the club, Keith played a 4-4-2 formation however, the most likely formation is the 4-3-3 the club have adopted in the absence of defenders Ben Futcher and Gareth McAuley.

Most likely formation (Right to left)

Marriott

Bloomer         McCombe      Morgan         Sandwith

Butcher     Beevers       Gain

GTF          Yeo        Green

Cheltenham are an odd side, one week they're battling to avoid relegation and only weeks later they're battling for a playoff place. 2 weeks ago they looked to be heading for a route into the playoffs after 4 wins in 6 games, however, they have lost twice since then and lay 4 points behind 7th place Yeovil.

Those two defeats were both 1-0, at home to Oxford followed by a reverse at Cambridge which proved to be the troubled club's first win this year. Cheltenham have respectable home record, winning against Boston (1-0), Mansfield (2-0), Cambridge (2-1), Bury (1-0), Kiddy (2-0), Rushden (4-1) and Rochdale, however, do you notice a pattern there, 2 of those have an outside chance of promotion whereas the others are either in or lingering above the relegation zone. Out of the current top 7, Cheltenham have faced 4 of them at home and lost them all.

A 0-0 at Sincil Bank in December had a horribly familiar feel to it as it was just as dull as the game at Sincil Bank last sesaon. However, if the game at Whaddon Road at the weekend is anything like last season then we should be in for a treat. City took the lead in the 2nd minute thanks to Marcus Richardson's tap in although keeper Shane Higgs should have done much better as it was hardly a thunderous shot.

Cheltenham equalised in the 33rd minute when a Grant McCann free kick sailed over everyone and snook in at the back post. However, City still went in at half time with the lead after Marcus Richardson was "fouled" in the area, the striker took the penalty himself and just managed to get it in the goal.

The second half belonged to Cheltenham as City failed to get a shot. However, it looked as though City were to hold out but then in the 88th minute ex-Imp John Finnigan capatalized on a scramble. However it didn't stop there as Cheltenham broke again and a cross from the right was headed in by Kayodi Odejayi (forgive spelling) to give Cheltenham a 3-2 victory.