Lincoln City vs Southampton predictions: Slick Saints can seal another three points
Daniel Childs
Southampton have won 10 of their last 14 Championship matches
Cyle Larin has scored in six of his last seven league appearances
Recommended bet: Southampton to win and Cyle Larin to score @ 2.75/1 with LiveScore Bet
Lincoln City have recovered from a slow start to the season by taking four points from the last two matches and they will aim to make further progress when facing promotion hopefuls Southampton at ProAmpac Stadium on Saturday.
Adjusting to the Championship was always going to be a challenge for the Imps, who last completed a season of second-tier football in 1961.
But the recent signs have been positive for dual managers Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, who steered the team to a 1-0 win at Bolton before presiding over Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at home to Blackburn.
Lincoln’s aim is to finish outside of the drop zone, while Southampton have their sights fixed on a top-two finish.
Tonda Eckert’s side began the season on minus four points and got off to a false start with a 2-1 loss at Watford.
However, they have taken seven points from the last three fixtures and are sure to be going after another maximum this weekend.
The latest Lincoln City vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Lincoln boosted their defensive options with a deadline-day swoop for right-back Daniel Oyegoke from Verona.
Ben House faces a late check after missing the midweek match against Blackburn but Tendayi Darikwa (knee) is a long-term absentee and Tom Hamer (unspecified injury) and Sonny Bradley (knee) remain unavailable.
Southampton may include defender Zach Abbott, who was snapped up on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest on deadline day.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis made a switch to Aston Villa and midfielder Caspar Jander (muscle strain) remains on the sidelines.
The stats
Lincoln have scored fewer than two goals in each of their four league fixtures.
Both teams have scored in each of Southampton’s last five games.
Saints have started the scoring in three of their last four fixtures.
Five of Southampton’s last six away league games have generated at least three goals.
Two of Southampton’s last three league victories have been by a 3-1 scoreline.
Three of Southampton’s last four games have featured at least four goals.
The latest Lincoln City vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Southampton have picked up just one point from a pair of Championship away fixtures but they can justify favouritism against Lincoln, whose mini-revival may come to an end.
Staying in the second tier is going to take a huge effort from Lincoln, who failed to seize a big opportunity in Tuesday’s goalless draw with Blackburn.
The Imps missed a few decent chances against Rovers, who were reduced to 10 men by Tom Atcheson’s 69th-minute red card.
But they may be pushed onto the back foot by Southampton, who are aiming to better their 80-point total from last term.
Saints are the division’s second top scorers and four of their 10 goals have come from powerful Canadian centre-forward Cyle Larin, who seems even more confident after impressing on the World Cup stage.
Larin has scored seven times in his last seven league appearances and he can find the net in a comfortable Southampton success.
Score Prediction: Lincoln City 1-3 Southampton
Back Southampton to win and Cyle Larin to score at 2.75/1 with LiveScore Bet
