Match outlook: Lincoln City hold the cards at Sincil Bank
Lincoln City welcome Burton Albion to the LNER Stadium on 22/01/2026 in a clash that shapes up as a clear test of the table’s extremes. The Imps sit second in League One with 49 points from 26 matches — 14 wins, seven draws and only five defeats — and arrive with a rich vein of form that reads like a team ready to press for promotion. Recent results underline that momentum: a 5-2 demolition of Peterborough United and consecutive wins over Barnsley and Stockport County sandwich draws with Luton and Huddersfield. The data backs the eye test; Lincoln have scored 42 goals so far, conceding 28, and boast a strong home return of 26 goals and just 13 conceded at Sincil Bank.
Burton Albion arrive as relegation-threatened visitors, 19th in the table with 30 points from 25 matches. Their season has been inconsistent, evidenced by a mixed recent record that includes high points — a 5-0 win at Boreham Wood and a 3-1 success over Huddersfield — but also heavy defeats away to Plymouth and Reading. Burton’s away numbers are modest: 12 goals scored and 17 conceded on their travels, and an away BTTS rate suggesting they can both score and be porous (BTTS away percentage 66.67).
Key stats and momentum
The statistical picture favours Lincoln. They average 11.19 shots per game with 102 on target collectively this season and have found consistency in front of goal at home. Burton’s totals are similar in volume but less efficient: 293 total shots but only 92 on target and 26 goals overall. The bookmakers mirror that reality — a home win priced at 1.58 with an implied probability north of 63% — making Lincoln the clear favorite. Head-to-head swings are worth noting: Burton beat Lincoln 1-0 in September, so complacency would be dangerous, but form and league position point strongly toward a home victory.
For punters weighing market choices, thinking about timing and market selection is crucial; sharper returns often come to those who pair match reading with discipline and timing, as explored in The right time to place bets on goal markets. For broader market strategy, the fundamentals remain vital — see Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets for a deeper primer.
Betting suggestion Lincoln City to win (1) is the strongest single-market play here. The home form, league position and recent attacking output align with the 1.58 odds offered, making the 1X2 market the most logical choice given the data. Consider a conservative stake size: Lincoln to win looks the best-value selection based on form, statistics and market probability.
