Automatic promotion is the aim for Southampton, who started the Championship season with a four-point deduction but have the opportunity to climb into the top half when facing Lincoln this weekend.
There were doubts about how Saints would respond after the trauma of the ‘Spygate’ scandal and they got off to a wobbly start with a 2-1 loss away to Watford.
However, Tonda Eckert’s side have steadied the ship by taking seven points from their last three matches.
Lincoln’s ambitions are very different as they strive to consolidate in their first season of second tier football since 1961.
The Imps have taken four points and were slightly frustrated by the midweek 0-0 draw against Blackburn.
Home games are going to be vitally important for Lincoln in the Championship, who must have fancied their chances when Blackburn were reduced to 10 men by defender Tom Atcheson’s 69th minute dismissal.
They bossed the closing stages but were forced to share the spoils despite winning the shot count 18 to eight.
Lincoln City v Southampton Tips Summary
Best Bet - Southampton to win @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Finn Azaz anytime assist @ 10/3
Bet Builder - Cyle Larin to score anytime, Over two goals & Flynn Downes to be booked @ 17/2
Lincoln City v Southampton Prediction
Best Bet - Southampton to win @ 4/5
Southampton sanctioned the sale of defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day, but they have assembled a strong enough squad to push for promotion and can secure maximum points for the third time in five league games.
Confidence is building for Eckert’s side, who registered a statement 5-1 success at home to Millwall last Saturday.
Their slick football was too much for the Lions, who had gone into the match with three successive clean sheets.
But different qualities were shown in the midweek match at Birmingham with Keven Schlotterbeck’s first-half goal contributing to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at one of the most daunting venues in the division.
Southampton are showing that they can adapt to different situations and they should have the tools to cope with Lincoln, who are in the process of adjusting to Championship football.
Lincoln are up and running after a gutsy 1-0 win at Bolton followed by the goalless draw at home to Blackburn.
But they are not at the same level as Southampton and could be taught a harsh lesson by one of the best teams in the division.
Alternative Bet - Finn Azaz anytime assist @ 10/3
One of the many players Southampton were delighted to retain is attacking midfielder Finn Azaz.
The Irish international is one of the most creative players in the division and contributed assists in the wins at home to Stoke (3-1) and Millwall (5-1).
Azaz will attract attention from Lincoln defenders but he looks overpriced to increase his assist tally.
Lincoln City v Southampton Bet Builder Tip
Cyle Larin to score anytime
Over 2 goals
Flynn Downes to be booked
Pays 17/2
Southampton have a nice mix in offensive areas with technical players like Azaz and Leo Scienza complementing the more physical types such as Cyle Larin and Divin Mubama.
Canadian forward Larin looks tailor made for the Championship and is full of confidence after scoring four league goals in as many games.
Larin is simply too powerful for the majority of second tier defenders and he can stay on the scoring trail in a high-scoring game.
Lincoln will try to fight fire with fire and could find the net for the fourth time in five second tier games.
However, they may struggle to seriously unsettle a Southampton side, which seems to have every base covered.
Saints are excellent on the ball but they have plenty of midfield bite, including tough tackling Flynn Downes, who may be cautioned for the third time this season.
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Key Match Stats
Lincoln have scored fewer than two goals in each of their four league fixtures
Southampton have won 10 of their last 14 Championship matches
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
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
