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Southampton FC – Lincoln City
For the German international Armel Bella-Kotchap, it continues on Tuesday after the messed up World Cup 2022 in Qatar already at his home club Southampton. Although the 21-year-old central defender hardly had a breather, national coach Hansi Flick did not use him for a single minute. The situation is different in the port city on England’s south coast, where Bella-Kotchap is set. In order to start the short winter break with a good feeling, Southampton want to celebrate their entry into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Tuesday. In the second round it goes against Lincoln City.
Lincoln City plays in the 3rd division, the EFL League One. There, the Imps are currently in the no-man’s land of the table, which does not give the guests much hope for a surprise on Tuesday evening. In England, the lower leagues did not pause due to the World Cup, so Lincoln City is currently in regular operation. However, the league game at the weekend at Cheltenham Town was cancelled because the grass pitch at Whaddon Road was frozen. Rested, the team of coach Mark Kennedy will throw everything into the balance and fight until the end. What we expect from this round of sixteen, you can read in our Southampton – Lincoln tip.
Southampton – Lincoln Info:
– Date & Time: 20.12.2022, 20:45 – Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
– Competition: EFL Cup, Round of 16
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Southampton Form & Balance Check
Southampton FC will play their last competitive match on 12 November. About a month and a half ago, the Saints lost 3-1 at Liverpool FC and thus said goodbye to the World Cup break with a defeat. Southampton used this intensively to successfully master the relegation battle in the second half of the season and, above all, to grow together again as a unit under coach Nathan Jones. The 49-year-old took over the Saints just two days before the collapse at Anfield, after Ralph Hasenhüttl was sacked. Thus, the round of sixteen will be only the second appearance under Jones. In the game against Liverpool it was positive that the Saints were able to make it 1-1 at times.
Out three times in a row
The round of sixteen of the EFL Cup has not been a good place for Southampton in recent years. After the Saints reached the final for the first time in February 2017, which Manchester United won 3-2, Southampton have been knocked out in the knockout stages ever since. Last season was over against Manchester City. All the greater is the chance, for the first time in five years, to reach the cup quarter-finals. In the first two rounds this year, Southampton defeated Cambridge 3-0 and Sheffield Wednesday 6-5 on penalties.
Southampton Facts & Analysis
– Southampton lost their last competitive game 3-1 at Liverpool.
– Under coach Nathan Jones, the Saints played only once.
– Southampton reached the final for the last time in 2017.
Lincoln Form & Balance Check
Lincoln City had to play as a third division club so far all rounds of the EFL Cup. The Imps have already survived three rounds, in which the team of coach Mark Kennedy attracted attention. First Lincoln beat Doncaster Rovers 3-0 away from home, before the penalty shoot-out had to serve in the 2nd round to advance against Barrow AFC. In the 3rd round, the Imps then caused the first major surprise by defeating second division Bristol 3-1 abroad. Accordingly, the self-confidence is strengthened to surprise again on Tuesday.
Currently difficult phase
In League One, Lincoln City is currently unable to deliver consistently. For four years now, the Imps have been playing in the 3rd league and fight year after year against non-relegation. Lincoln is currently in 14th place and seven points ahead of the relegation places. To the 3rd place in the table, which entitles to participate in the relegation, the Imps are 15 points behind. It’s a solid season with no big outliers up or down, so reaching the quarter-finals on Tuesday would be the highlight of the season. With Lincoln, six other clubs that do not play in the Premier League are in the knockout stages.
Lincoln Facts & Analysis
– Lincoln has already survived three rounds in the EFL Cup.
– Most recently, the Imps beat Bristol from the 2nd division 3-1 in the EFL Cup.
– Lincoln has already retired from the FA Cup.
Estimated line-up – last update on December 20, 2022
In contrast to some other knockout finalists from the Premier League, Southampton did not spare the first set in the previous rounds. Therefore, it is to be expected that coach Nathan Jones again does not take any risks and calls up the starting eleven of the Saints. Among other things, Armel Bella-Kotchap, who drove for Germany to the World Cup in Qatar, is set in central defense in the 4-2-3-1 system.
Lincoln City have to offer the best starting eleven anyway as a big outsider. The Imps’ most dangerous player is centre forward Ben House, who has already scored five goals this season and added two more. Left winger Jack Diamond has also taken five shots. Coach Mark Kennedy prefers a 3-4-3 formation.
Southampton – Lincoln Direct Comparison & Stats
– It will be the first meeting between the two clubs.
– Lincoln City’s squad is worth €6.78 million, while Southampton is worth €315 million.
– It is a duel between a first and a third division club.
– Germany international Armel Bella-Kotchap of Southampton is worth three times as much as Lincoln City.
