Stevenage will compete for a spot in the third round of the EFL Trophy this Tuesday, when they take on Arsenal Under-21s at the Lamex Stadium.
The hosts come into this one off the back of a draw away to Grimsby Town, while the visitors travel to Hertfordshire following a draw against Stoke City Under-23s.
Match preview
© Reuters
Stevenage have been in excellent form this campaign in League Two, currently occupying second in the division having accumulated 40 points from 19 matches.
Steve Evans has managed to turn his side into a force in 2022-23, losing just three games in the league so far as The Boro eye an ambitious promotion push.
In Southern Group D of the EFL Trophy, Stevenage claimed a maximum nine points with three wins over Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s respectively.
Their defensive exploits during this cup run have to be admired, as they only conceded a solitary goal in the entire group stage, which came against Peterborough back in August.
Stevenage will fancy their chances of progressing to the next round of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening in front of their own supporters.
© Reuters
Arsenal U21s travel to the Lamex Stadium looking to book their place in the next round of the competition, having qualified from Southern Group H on goal difference in second position.
From their three matches in the group stage, victories over Cambridge United and Northampton Town were enough to squeeze the young Gunners into the knockout phase of the EFL Trophy by a solitary goal.
Mehmet Ali has also managed to guide his youthful side to top spot in the Premier League 2 Division 1 this campaign, racking up 23 points from 11 matches played.
In 2021-22, Arsenal U21s managed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before eventually crashing out to Wigan Athletic by a score of 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Divin Baningime.
They will be aiming to go one better this time round, though face a tough test in midweek against an organised Stevenage outfit.
Team News
© Reuters
Taking into account their promotion push in League Two, it would be unsurprising if Steve Evans was to rotate his squad for this cup tie during a busy period.
Former Liverpool man David Amoo appeared as a late substitute in the draw against Grimsby last weekend and may be entrusted to play from the start in a wing-back role against Arsenal U21s.
Jamie Reid may also be in line for a start in attack, following his cameo assist from the bench against Grimsby for Jake Reeves to open the scoring.
Dean Campbell may come into midfield having played every match in the EFL Trophy group stage, while Luca Ashby-Hammond is expected to continue in goal.
Visitors Arsenal U21s will undoubtedly field a talented array of stars as they bid to eliminate Stevenage from the competition. Young prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly could retain his place in defence following an impressive debut for his side in the 1-1 draw to Stoke U23s.
Khayon Edwards is likely to continue in attack, while Ethan Nwaneri, James Hillson and Joel Ideho could all keep their places and take to the field on Tuesday.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Earley, Amoo; Reeves, Campbell, Gilbey; Norris, Reid
Arsenal Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Hillson; Walters, Awe, Foran, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Bandeira, Cirjan; Ideho, Edwards, Butler-Oyedeji
We say: Stevenage 1-0 Arsenal Under-21s
In an intriguing cup clash, we expect a close contest between two sides that will likely result in the tie being settled by fine margins.
Stevenage will be the ones to capitalise on this occasion and narrowly progress to the third round of the EFL Trophy.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
