The biggest game in League Two this weekend is undoubtedly the crunch Lincolnshire derby between Grimsby and
LINCOLN, with some local pundits touting this as one of the most important clashes between the two deadly rivals in modern times.
Both sides have the spectre of relegation hanging over them, especially the Mariners who are trying to avoid making it a club record 23 games without a victory, although they have incredibly drawn 12 of their last 16 matches. They grabbed a surprise point at high-flying Notts County in midweek, with new loan signing Jamie Devitt bagging their vital equaliser, but they could have up to five players from that encounter missing at Blundell Park.
Influential midfielder Peter Sweeney is definitely out through suspension, while manager Neil Woods admitted on Friday that four players will have to undergo fitness tests before kick-off. That could hand the initiative to City who could be without defender Nathan Baker and midfielder Stefan Oakes, but who have Moses Swaibu back from suspension.
Lincoln have an awful record on the road, having lost 10 of their 15 League outings and also suffered a 5-1 humbling in Cleethorpes last season, but after beating Accrington in midweek they look a decent proposition at 11-5 with Coral. This certainly won't be a high-scoring encounter as both sides have been profligate up front, but the Imps may have found a a strikeforce in Drewe Broughton and Steven Lennon that could cause problems, with the young Scot 15-2 to score first. On the subject of first goalscorer, City's Chris Herd looks vastly over-priced at 18-1 with bet365.
Mark Yates has won only one of his eight games in charge of Cheltenham and I fancy MORECAMBE to turn them over at Whaddon Road, at a best price of 13-8 with Betfred.
Morecambe have claimed back-to-back wins over Darlington and Burton and are again displaying the sort of form that had them rocketing up the table before Christmas, while Cheltenham are stuck in a massive rut.
The Shrimps will name an unchanged side for the trip to Gloucestershire and with their deadly strikeforce of Phil Jevons and Paul Mullin beginning to click again, this could be a comfortable win for Sammy McIlroy's men.
Despite their lowly standing in the table, HEREFORD have one of the best home records in the division and they look bankers at a general 11-8 to beat a Burton side hoping to avoid a third straight defeat and who will be without the injured duo of Darren Stride and Russell Penn.
Last year's Blue Square Premier winners were doing very nicely thank you, but doubts have now crept in following losses against Crewe and Morecambe. Hereford, meanwhile, have won three of their last four to dispel any fears of relegation and at fortress Edgar Street they can prevail over Paul Peschisolido's men.
Elsewhere, BOURNEMOUTH have to be backed to give Macclesfield a beating at 8-13 with Ladbrokes, while leaders ROCHDALE are also banker material at 4-6 (Skybet) to overcome Dagenham & Redbridge.
