Bitesize Prediction: Southampton vs Lincoln – 20/12/22

Competition: EFL Cup

Market: Southampton win to nil

Odds: 11/10 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup run in midweek, Southampton will welcome Lincoln to St. Mary’s on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, heading into the World Cup’s enforced winter break with a routine 3-1 loss away at Premier League giants Liverpool, Southampton will get a new era underway on Tuesday night. Appointing former Luton boss Nathan Jones last month, the Saints simply have their sights set on retaining their top-flight status this season. Winning just a pair of their last 11 straight matchups across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to August 30th – Southampton will also be hoping to find some much-needed stability on home soil. In fact, despite edging past League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday last month after a nervy penalty shootout victory, that is just the second home win that Jones’ new squad have claimed from their previous nine attempts. Nevertheless, despite enduring an extended blip prior to the winter break, the Premier League outfit are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here.

As for the visitors, while Lincoln might be enjoying what has been an extended eye-catching run, Mark Kennedy’s side will know they face a real challenge on Tuesday night. Last seen claiming an action-packed 4-2 win against Everton’s U21s while on EFL Trophy Duties last week, the Imps have lost just one of their previous seven contests across all formats. However, almost sat in League One limbo as we inch closer to 2023, the ex-Macclesfield boss has seen his side show some recent issues on the road. Eventually getting hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Shrewsbury in their last showdown away from Sincil Bank, Lincoln have now lost three of their last four away fixtures. With that run highlighted by a stunning 1-0 loss against non-league outfit Chippenham on November 5th, it is hard to see anything other than a home victory here.

Bet: Southampton 11/10 to beat Lincoln to nil in Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie @ 888sport