Lincoln City vs Southampton is one of the key fixtures in the Championship on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as both teams look to build momentum early in the season.
The match will be played at Lincoln City’s home ground, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST. Southampton enter the game as favorites, but Lincoln City have shown signs of improvement after winning at Bolton Wanderers and drawing with Blackburn Rovers.
Lincoln City vs Southampton: Match Details
- Match: Lincoln City vs Southampton
- Competition: EFL Championship
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Kick-off: 12:30 BST
- Venue: Lincoln City’s home stadium
- Matchweek: 5
- TV: Sky Sports+
- Fixture: Lincoln City home vs Southampton
Lincoln City vs Southampton Predicted Lineups
Both teams have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of kick-off.
Lincoln City Starting XI
Lincoln City are set up in a 3-4-3 formation:
George Wickens; Deji Elerewe, Ryley Towler, Sonny Bradley; Adam Reach, Conor McGrandles, Ivan Varfolomeev, Andrei Coubis; Rob Street, Freddie Draper, Ben House.
Southampton Starting XI
Southampton line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Daniel Peretz; Jack Stephens, Welington, James Bree, Keven Schlotterbeck; Flynn Downes, Kuryu Matsuki; Finn Azaz, Léo Scienza, James Ward-Prowse; Cyle Larin. The confirmed Southampton lineup includes the experience of James Ward-Prowse, while Cyle Larin leads the attack.
Lincoln City’s Recent Form
Lincoln City began their Championship campaign with defeats against Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, but their form has improved.
They beat Bolton Wanderers 1–0 away from home on August 29 before drawing 0–0 with Blackburn Rovers on September 1.
Their recent Championship results are:
- Middlesbrough 2–1 Lincoln City
- Lincoln City 1–3 Portsmouth
- Bolton Wanderers 0–1 Lincoln City
- Lincoln City 0–0 Blackburn Rovers
Lincoln therefore come into the Southampton game having collected four points from their opening four Championship matches.
Southampton’s Recent Form
Southampton have had an eventful opening to their Championship campaign.
They lost their first league game against Watford, then responded with wins over Stoke City and Millwall. Their most recent Championship fixture ended in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City.
Southampton’s last four Championship results are:
- Watford 2–1 Southampton
- Southampton 3–1 Stoke City
- Southampton 5–1 Millwall
- Birmingham City 1–1 Southampton
Southampton have scored 10 goals in four Championship matches, although their league position is affected by a four-point deduction.
Lincoln City vs Southampton Head-to-Head
The two clubs have not regularly met in recent league competition.
Their previous competitive meeting was in the 2022–23 EFL Cup, when Southampton won 2–1. The teams are now meeting in the league for the first time in decades. Their previous league meetings date back to the early 1960s, making this Championship fixture a notable return to league competition between the clubs.
Who Is Favored to Win Lincoln City vs Southampton?
Southampton enter the match as the bookmakers’ favorite.
However, Lincoln City have home advantage and have recently shown greater defensive stability, following their 1–0 victory at Bolton and 0–0 draw against Blackburn.
Southampton have the stronger attacking numbers, with 10 Championship goals already this season, while Lincoln have scored three in their first four league matches. That creates an interesting contrast: Lincoln will hope to keep the game tight, while Southampton will look to use their greater attacking threat.
Lincoln City vs Southampton Prediction
Southampton’s attacking quality makes them the stronger team on paper, but Lincoln City’s recent defensive improvement could make this a competitive game.
Prediction: Lincoln City 1–2 Southampton
A narrow Southampton victory would fit the form and attacking numbers heading into the match, although Lincoln have enough home advantage to make the visitors work for the three points.
How to Watch Lincoln City vs Southampton
Fans in the UK can watch Lincoln City vs Southampton live on Sky Sports+.
The match kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday, September 5. Live score and match updates are also available through major football score services during the game.
Source: ESPN, Goal, FansNetwork