3-4-3, Poole in: The predicted Lincoln City XI to face Saints in the EFL Cup | OneFootball

Lincoln City are one of the lowest ranked teams left in this season’s edition of the EFL Cup.

The Imps have punched above their weight to earn a fourth round tie with Premier League side Southampton.

Victories over Doncaster Rovers, Barrow and Bristol City have brought the League One side to the Last 16.

Postponement of last weekend’s league clash with Cheltenham Town has also given Mark Kennedy’s side the chance to take some extra time on the training ground in order to prepare for Tuesday night’s big game.

Here is how we predict Lincoln will line up to face the Saints this midweek…

Lincoln have utilised a 3-4-3 system this season that has put them firmly in the mid-table of the third tier.

Kennedy will stick with what his team has done best, with this game not being one for radical changes.

It was a second string squad that Lincoln opted to use last midweek in the team’s EFL Trophy clash with Everton, expect the side to revert back to a much stronger XI on Tuesday night.

Lincoln’s last league game came on 10 December, which should have allowed his strongest lineup to maintain their fitness ahead of this match.

Quiz: Have any of these 25 ex-Lincoln City players ever played for a London based team?

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1. Scott Kerr

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This will be a big occasion for the likes of Regan Poole, who has a lot of speculation surrounding his future with the club.

Jack Diamond is cup tied so is likely to be replaced in the front three with Daniel Mandroiu, who will feature alongside Ben House and Charles Vernam will need to be at their best to make the most of their likely limited chances.

Meanwhile, the defensive trio of Paudie O’Connor, Joe Walsh and Adam Jackson will be under a lot of pressure going up against a top flight worthy attack.

Victory on Tuesday could prove to be one of the best results in the club’s history, so it will likely be an unchanged XI to the one that earned a draw with Wycombe Wanderers in their previous league game that is chosen by Kennedy.