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NederlandStruggling Sutton United host Crystal Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, as they seek to forget their early-season woes.
Anchored to the foot of the Football League after a home loss on Saturday, the home side welcome Palace's young guns to Gander Green Lane in the opening match of their Southern Section group.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having suffered late heartbreak at the weekend, Sutton will hope that a change of competition can reverse their current fortunes, as they have been finding life hard since being promoted to the fourth tier as National League champions.
In their first home game since having a new pitch installed, a physical battle with Oldham was decided by Junior Luamba's dramatic stoppage-time winner, as the Us surrendered a lead in the final few minutes of the game. The Latics' late comeback brought their first league win of the season after a frantic finale, leaving Sutton empty-handed.
That chastening defeat leaves them with just two points from their opening four matches, and they also went out of the EFL Cup to Cardiff earlier this month.
Matt Gray's men finished last season in fine form, winning seven of their last 10 games, which saw them claim a historic promotion into the Football League for the first time in the club's 123-year history.
However, that momentum has stalled, so an opportunity to take on some raw youngsters from nearby Crystal Palace could prove just the tonic on Tuesday.
Though they will give up numerous years in experience to their League Two counterparts, Palace's academy prospects will certainly prefer Sutton's newly-laid grass to pitch to their previous artificial surface - and are sure to be targeting a top-two place in Group B, which would help them through to the next phase.
The Eagles' academy has been notoriously prolific over the years, with many of its graduates - including Wilfried Zaha, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Gareth Southgate - going on to represent the senior side and many other major clubs with distinction.
The current crop of Croydon-based talents will make the short trip to Gander Green Lane expecting to gain valuable experience, but also with the aim of making a creditable debut in this controversial competition.
Palace are entering a team in the tournament for the first time, and after they face Sutton, AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth will await in October and November respectively.
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Team News
Sutton are likely to make changes to their XI in midweek, as they seek to recover from throwing three points away against Oldham.
Matt Gray is expected to keep summer signing Enzio Boldewijn on the wing to test Palace's academy prospects, but Alastair Smith may be among those poised to play in a shake-up of the hosts' midfield.
Ben Wyatt and Ricky Korboa were also used as substitutes at the weekend and could be given their chance from the first whistle on Tuesday.
The visitors, meanwhile, have not fielded an Under-21 team before, so Under-18 and Under-23 players will be eligible to play.
Potential members of the starting side include former Dunfermline starlet Scott Banks, a Scotland Under-21 international, and defensive midfielder Aidan Steele, formerly of Watford.
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Goodliffe, John, Milson; Barden, Beautyman, Eastmond, Korboa; Ajiboye, Bugiel; Bennett
Crystal Palace Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Webber; Quick, O'Brien, Hannam, Imray; Banks, M. Boateng, Steele, Thiselton; Street, Robertson
We say: Sutton United 1-0 Crystal Palace Under-21s
Much like Sutton lost their first-ever EFL Cup tie against Cardiff, now Palace's Under-21s will go down to defeat on their debut in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
A greater wealth of first-team nous can help the hosts overcome a sluggish start to the season, as they pick up three points in their opening group game.
