Despite the fact we have international football taking place across the world over the next two weeks, there are professional clubs in action in England thanks to the English Football League Trophy.
On Tuesday the 5th of October we have a meeting between Gillingham and Ipswich Town at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
📸 | #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/948yW34VzD— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) October 4, 2021
📸 | #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/948yW34VzD
This is a Group A match in the Southern Section of the draw and the hosts begin the game top of the group on 3 points while the visitors are bottom and yet to get off the mark.
Gillingham come into the match on the back of a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Wigan in League One on the weekend.
With the score 0-0 at half-time, Wigan came out stronger in the second half and opened the scoring in the 64th minute before doubling their advantage with just 8 minutes remaining on the clock.
It was the first defeat in 4 games for Gillingham, who had previously picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at home against Charlton Athletic and away to Oxford United. Gillingham also recorded a 2-0 win at Cambridge United in League One.
They started their EFL Trophy campaign with a 1-0 win at Colchester United. It was the first win in 4 attempts for Gillingham in the competition having previously lost all 3 of their group matches in the tournament last season.
Trends show Gillingham have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches in the EFL Trophy.
Ipswich Town make the trip to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium having lost 2-1 at Accrington Stanley in League One on the weekend.
Ipswich Town opened the scoring and led 1-0 at half-time but Accrington Stanley quickly scored the equalising goal after the interval. The hosts pushed on in the second half and scored the winner in the 79th minute.
That result means Ipswich Town have lost one of their last 4 matches. They had previously defeated Lincoln City away and Doncaster Rovers at home in League One, the latter of which was a 6-0 thrashing.
However, Ipswich Town started their EFL Trophy campaign with a 2-1 loss at home against West Ham United Under 21’s. Trends show they have lost 4 of their last 5 EFL Trophy games.
Team news and both teams are likely to make changes from the weekend. Jack Tucker returned from suspension for Gillingham on Saturday and could get another runout in this match.
Stuart O’Keefe, Vadaine Oliver, and Mustapha Carayol are doubts while Daniel Phillips and Ryan Jackson are both set to miss out.
Ipswich Town could include Toto Nsiala and Kyle Edwards from the start, with both having been on the bench on the weekend. Luke Woolfenden and Idris El Mizouni could also come into the starting XI.
One glance at the League One position of both teams suggests this is going to be a close game. We expect to see under 2.5 goals and the possibility of a draw.