League Two side Salford City are set to host Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s on Tuesday at Peninsula Stadium in their third EFL Trophy match of 2024-25.
Salford are last in fourth place in their group with no points and lost 2-1 against Wrexham on September 10, while the visitors are third with one point and were beaten 3-0 by Wrexham in their last outing in the competition in early October.
Match preview
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The hosts' loss against Wrexham was a close affair, with both sides producing two big chances, but William Boyle's 83rd-minute winner was enough to earn the Welsh side all three points.
In their last league game on Saturday, Salford were defeated 1-0 by Carlisle United, a match in which the Ammies created very little and succumbed to Benjamin Barclay's 88th-minute strike.
The result left them 13th in League Two with 20 points after 15 matchweeks, four points from seventh-placed Grimsby Town, who occupy the division's final promotion playoff spot.
To boss Karl Robinson's credit, his side's defeat against Carlisle was their first in their six most recent games in all competitions having won three and drawn two in that time.
Robinson's team have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven, though they did score 10 goals in those games.
Salford's home form is mixed considering they have lost three and emerged victorious in three of their last six matches at Peninsula Stadium.
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Opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s were thoroughly outplayed by Wrexham during their 3-0 loss, with the League One side mustering three big chances while facing none themselves.
The visitors come into the clash having beaten Oldham Athletic on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate in the England National League Cup on November 6.
Under-21s striker Fletcher Holman scored twice and said in the aftermath of the shootout victory that he and his young teammates are learning and developing every day, noting the increased quality when facing professional first-team sides as opposed to games at academy level.
Wolves U21s have triumphed in two of their last four games, drawing one and losing one, but they did succumb to defeat in three of the prior four matches.
The away side's record on the road is particularly concerning given they have lost nine of their last 11 away from home.
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Team News
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The home team could be without defenders Stephan Negru and James Chester, so expect Josh Austerfield, Curtis Tilt and Haji Mnoga to start in a back three.
Midfielders Kevin Berkoe, Ryan Watson, Dan Chesters and Hakeeb Adelakun could also be unavailable, and this may mean Ossama Ashley and Kelly N'Mai are selected to form a double pivot on Tuesday.
Matthew Lund could start in an advanced position behind strikers Kyrell Malcolm and Kylian Kouassi.
Meanwhile, Wolves U21s goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin is likely to be protected by centre-backs Justin Hubner, Filozofe Mabete and Ojinnaka Temple.
In midfield, Harvey Griffiths and Luke Cundle may be flanked by wing-backs Wesley Okoduwa and Ethan Sutherland.
Matthew Whittingham could start in an attacking role behind a front two featuring Tom Edozie and Fletcher Holman.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Young; Austerfield, Tilt, Mnoga; Garbutt, Ashley, N'Mai, Shephard; Lund; Malcolm, Kouassi
Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Benjamin; Hubner, Mabete, Temple; Okoduwa, Griffiths, Cundle, Sutherland; Whittingham; Edozie, Holman
We say: Salford City 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s
Given Salford's poor defensive record of late, it would be surprising if they kept a clean sheet.
However, Wolves U21s have been poor away from home for some time, and it is difficult to see how they avoid defeat in the EFL Trophy.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
