League Two leaders Gillingham will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2025-26 EFL Trophy campaign when they welcome Fulham Under-21s for an intriguing match on Tuesday night.
The hosts will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Oldham Athletic in League Two, while Fulham Under-21s beat Valencia Under-21s 3-2 in the Premier League International Cup last time out.
Match preview
Gillingham finished 17th in League Two last season, so there is plenty of room for improvement in the current campaign, and it has been a strong start to 2025-26 for Gareth Ainsworth's side.
Indeed, 14 points from six matches has left them at the top of the League Two table, with the hosts entering this match off the back of a 1-0 success over Oldham Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
The Gills have won each of their last three in the fourth tier of English football, while their only defeat of the campaign came to AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the EFL Cup earlier this month.
Gillingham's main focus for this season will be on the league and possible promotion to the third tier, but the EFL Trophy gives head coach Ainsworth the opportunity to hand valuable minutes to squad players and youngsters.
Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers are also present in Group G, with the pair meeting on the same night.
Fulham Under-21s will know that they are up against it in this section, but an excellent start to the 2025-26 campaign will have left the visitors full of confidence ahead of this match.
Indeed, the London outfit have played twice in Premier League 2 this season, opening their campaign with a 3-2 success over Arsenal Under-21s before winning 4-3 against Everton Under-21s on August 22.
Hayden Mullins' side posted a third straight victory on August 27, beating Valencia Under-21s 3-2 in the Premier League International Cup, so the away side have the winning feeling at this moment in time.
Fulham Under-21s will return to Premier League 2 action against West Bromwich Albion Under-21s on September 19, and the club's youngsters will be looking to make an impression in the coming weeks in the hope of catching the eye of first-team head coach Marco Silva.
Gillingham form (all competitions):
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Fulham Under-21s form (all competitions):
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Team News
Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner during his side's match against Bromley on 4 December 2024
Gillingham head coach Ainsworth will ring the changes from the side that started against Oldham Athletic.
Jake Turner is in line for a spot between the sticks, while Sam Vokes, who scored the winner on Saturday, could be introduced in the final third of the field alongside Joseph Gbode.
There could also be another change in the final third of the field, with Aaron Rowe in line to start.
Gillingham have not reported any fresh injury concerns ahead of the EFL Trophy fixture, but squad players and youngsters will be given opportunities to impress here.
As for Fulham Under-21s, there is set to be another start in the final third of the field for Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who has made an excellent start to the season, scoring three times and registering one assist in two appearances.
There is also expected to be a spot in a wide area for Tom Olyott, while Charlie Robinson should captain the away side from the middle of their defence.
Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Turner; Ogie, Gale, Smith; Hutton, Khumbeni, Coleman, Clark; Rowe; Vokes, Gbode
Fulham Under-21s possible starting lineup:
McNally; De Jesus, Amissah, Robinson, Slade; Nwoko, Gofford; Olyott, Ridgeon, Works; Loupalo-Bi
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We say: Gillingham 2-1 Fulham Under-21s
Fulham Under-21s have a lot of excellent talents, and we are expecting them to make this a close match. However, Gillingham's experience should allow them to open their EFL Trophy campaign with a victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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