Lincoln City to play Hull City behind closed doors ahead of Burnley clash

Lincoln City will face Premier League side Hull City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Tigers' Cottingham training ground on Tuesday, as they build up fitness for Saturday's Championship home game against Burnley at Sincil Bank.

  • Match: Lincoln City vs Hull City (behind closed doors)
  • Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026
  • Venue: Cottingham training ground
  • Purpose: Give players minutes ahead of Burnley fixture
  • Lincoln's last result: 2-2 draw at Millwall (Cubis, Street scored)
  • League position: Lincoln 18th; Hull 9th in Premier League

Why Lincoln are playing Hull

Lincoln City will use the friendly to give minutes to squad players who have not featured regularly. The Imps drew 2-2 away at Millwall last time out, with Andrei Cubis and Rob Street getting the goals at The Den. That result left them 18th in the Championship table after three wins from their first 11 outings.

Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen's side are four points above the drop zone and five off the play-off places. A midweek run-out against Premier League opposition provides a valuable fitness boost before the visit of Burnley on Saturday.

Lincoln's season so far

Lincoln were promoted from League One last season along with Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers. They have adapted reasonably well to life in the Championship under the management duo of Shaw and Cohen, who took over after ex-head coach Michael Skubala left for Bristol City in the summer following the club's third-tier title win.

The Imps currently sit 18th after 11 games, with three wins, and are looking to pull away from the relegation zone. The behind-closed-doors game against Hull offers a chance for fringe players to impress and for the management team to work on tactical shape ahead of a tough test against Burnley.

Hull City's strong start

Hull City won the Championship play-offs in May and have made a solid start to life in the Premier League. The Tigers are 9th in the top flight after their first seven outings, though they lost 1-0 at Fulham in their last game. The friendly will give Hull the opportunity to maintain match sharpness and give minutes to squad members.

Playing a Championship side behind closed doors allows both teams to experiment without the pressure of a competitive fixture. For Lincoln, it is a chance to test themselves against top-flight opposition; for Hull, it is a useful workout during the international break.

Selection notes

Lincoln are expected to field a mix of first-team players and squad members who need minutes. The source does not specify which players will feature, but the game is designed to build fitness ahead of the Burnley match. Shaw and Cohen will be without any players on international duty or carrying injuries, though no specific absences are mentioned.

Hull City are likely to use the game to give playing time to players who have not featured regularly in the Premier League. The Tigers' manager will also want to keep his squad sharp for their next league fixture.

What happens next

Lincoln City host Burnley at Sincil Bank on Saturday in the Championship. The Imps will be looking to build on their recent form and climb the table. A positive result against the Clarets could provide momentum as they aim to establish themselves in the second tier.

Hull City return to Premier League action after the international break, looking to continue their impressive start to the season. The friendly against Lincoln is a stepping stone towards their next top-flight fixture.

Talking points

  • Fitness boost: Lincoln's decision to arrange a midweek friendly shows they are taking preparation seriously. Will it pay off against Burnley?
  • Opportunity for fringe players: The game gives squad members a chance to impress Shaw and Cohen. Who will take their chance?
  • Hull's strong start: The Tigers are 9th in the Premier League after seven games. Can they maintain that form?
  • Lincoln's league position: Sitting 18th after 11 games, the Imps need points. Is a midweek friendly a distraction or a help?

Frequently asked questions

When is Lincoln City vs Hull City?

The behind-closed-doors friendly takes place on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at Hull's Cottingham training ground.

Why are Lincoln playing Hull?

Lincoln are using the game to give players minutes and build fitness ahead of their Championship clash with Burnley on Saturday.

Where are Lincoln in the Championship table?

Lincoln are 18th after 11 games, with three wins, four points above the drop zone and five off the play-offs.

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