Colchester United and Gillingham play their first matches of the EFL Trophy this season when they meet in their Southern Group A encounter on Tuesday at the Colchester Community Stadium.

Both sides will be hoping to use the match as a method to gain some momentum in their league campaigns, after beginning the new season with only one win apiece so far.

Match preview

Colchester will be looking to make their EFL Trophy campaign last a bit longer than it did last season when they play this season's opener on Tuesday.

United exited last season's cup in the group stage, after two defeats preceded a consolation 6-1 hammering of Southend United in the final match of the group phase.

Although most teams will pay little attention to this competition, the hosts may want to use the cup as a potential springboard to kickstart their struggling start to the new League Two campaign.

After finishing in a poor 20th place in League Two last season, the U's have picked up where they left off, as they currently sit in 18th after five matches.

A single win, three draws and a single defeat, with only four goals scored in that time are a sign of the situation in which they still find themselves.

On a slightly more positive note, Colchester come into Tuesday's match with some fresh legs, after their League Two match against Sutton United due to be played at the weekend was postponed due to Sutton's lack of available players through injury, COVID-19 and international call-ups.

However, it is worth noting that Tuesday's opponents Gillingham also had this weekend's match postponed.

Although they find themselves in the division above their hosts on Tuesday, Gillingham have also made a poor start to the new season.

After consistent mid-table finishes in the last few years, The Gills currently find themselves sitting in 17th place in League One, after only one win in their opening five league matches.

The other four matches have ended with two draws and two defeats for Gillingham, with both a penalty shootout victory and defeat in the EFL Cup sandwiched in between.

As mentioned above, Tuesday's visitors also have fresh legs heading into the match due to their weekend League One encounter with Charlton Athletic being postponed due to Charlton's number of players missing through international duty.

Also like Colchester, Gillingham will be viewing the opener in this year's cup as a chance to gain some momentum in their run of fixtures ahead, as well as improving on their performance in the competition last season.

The Gills did at least make it through the group stage, but fell in the Round of 32 to then-League Two side Cambridge United after a 2-0 defeat.

Team News

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins may hand a debut to deadline day signing Armando Dobra on Tuesday, with there being much excitement around the Albanian joining on loan for the season from Ipswich Town.

Although their game at the weekend was cancelled, Mullins may be tempted to rotate his side a little, to give some fringe players a chance to impress.

This could see Dean Gerken get a chance in goal, ahead of this season's number one Shamal George.

As for the visitors, their pre-season and start to the new campaign was disrupted by a COVID outbreak in the camp.

This has meant manager Steve Evans has had to deal with a number of absent players through COVID, as well as little knocks and a lack of fitness as a result.

Therefore, the postponed match at the weekend will actually have been welcomed by Evans, as his players have had an extra couple of days to continue their returns to fitness.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith, Daniels; Sarpong-Wiredu, Skuse; Sears, Dobra, Jasper; Nouble

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Chapman; McKenzie, Ehmer, Bennett, Tutonda; O'Keefe, Adshead, Reeves; Lee; Oliver, Lloyd

We say: Colchester United 1-1 Gillingham (Gillingham to win on penalties)

With both sides struggling and it being difficult to call the strength of the lineups from both teams, it is a tricky encounter to predict. This sees us leaning towards a tight 1-1 draw in this one, with Gillingham just having the edge to win the tie on penalties.