Lincoln City face Premier League side Southampton away from home tomorrow night for a spot in the Quarter Final of the Carabao Cup. The game will be played at the St Mary’s Stadium, with a kick-off time of 7:45pm.
Lincoln City Form
The Imps have been in relatively good form recently, with only one loss in our last five games across all competitions. In the last five, we have won three (including one on penalties) and drawn with Wycombe Wanderers and a disappointing defeat to Shrewsbury Town away from home. Our form against the bigger sides in our own division could be a key reason for fans to believe we may get something on the South Coast with wins against Ipswich, Derby and even Bristol City in the League above.
Likely Starting XI
Mark Kennedy will most likely stick with a back five system. In order to compete against players like Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, our strongest defensive combination of Paudie O’Connor, Joe Walsh, and Adam Jackson will likely start, with Regan Poole and Jamie Robson providing both defensive and the occasional offensive support throughout the evening. With James Ward-Prowse expected to start and captain Southampton, our strongest midfield partnership of Matty Virtue and Max Sanders will be required and they will need to be at their best from minute one.
Tomorrow night, our wingers will be crucial at both ends of the field because they must protect their wing-backs and pose an offensive threat. After defeating Everton’s Under-21 team, Danny Mandroiu could make his second consecutive start alongside the in-form Charles Vernam with Jack Diamond cup-tied. Since there have been no updates on Ben House’s injury, which forced him to leave the field against Everton on a stretcher, I’ve given Tom Hopper the opportunity to make back-to-back starts in his place.
Lineup: Carl Rushworth, Paudie O’Connor, Adam Jackson, Joe Walsh, Regan Poole, Max Sanders, Matty Virtue, Jamie Robson, Danny Mandroiu, Charles Vernam, Tom Hopper
Southampton Form
Southampton sit in a lowly nineteenth position in the Premier League and their form shows why they are in that position with their last win coming against Bournemouth on the 19th October, courtesy of a Che Adams goal. Since that win at the Vitality Stadium, they have played four top-flight games that have all ended in defeat with a win against Sheffield Wednesday on penalties sandwiched in between.
Nathan Jones has taken the reigns at Southampton, following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhüttl in November. Jones is an admirer of lower league English football having been very successful with Luton Town.
Southampton Key Players
There is one man we will all be looking out for when the teamsheets are released and that is James Ward-Prowse. The midfield maestro needs no introduction, having been labelled as the best freekick taker in the world and compared to David Beckham for his set-piece ability. On top of that, he has been capped by Gareth Southgate and England eleven times, scoring two goals for his national team.
Ainsley Maitland-Miles is a name that will be common to many, having also been capped by England on five occasions and winning the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield with Arsenal. The dangerous duo of Adam Armstrong and Che Adams will have something to prove following the World Cup break with both players struggling to perform in the Premier League.
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