EFL Trophy

We've talked a fair bit in the past about the EFL Trophy trends, which have typically seen the Football League sides available at decent odds to beat their younger, but less experienced Premier/Championship U23 sides. The bad news is that the bookies are beginning to catch up, so the pickings are less obvious than they were, but there are still a few ties worth checking out.

We'll start at Cheltenham, were there looks a good chance that Forest Green will take the match rather more seriously, and could be worth a small bet to win their first away game of the season. They beat Newport County earlier in this competition - and the 11 who started that night have started a combined 77 Football League matches this season between them (from a possible 121). Cheltenham by contrast fielded a more mixed side, and their starting 11 have only half as many starts in the league this season.

With Forest Green desperate for a bit of momentum, they may well continue with a strong team here, and the 10/3 available looks long enough to warrant a small bet.

1pt Forest Green to beat Cheltenham at 10/3 (Bet365)

Keeping with the big priced outsiders, another side who could take it more seriously are Barnet. They are lower to mid table, and their opening match in this competition saw a reasonably first choice XI miss out narrowly to AFC Wimbledon. They play Luton on Tuesday who might have a larger squad, but will likely field plenty of inexperienced players - they changed almost the entire team against Spurs U23 in the first group match, and would be expected to do the same again. Barnet represent some value at 4/1 in our view.

1pt Barnet to beat Luton at 4/1 (General)

Oxford took things seriously in the first match they played - winning 6-2 at Stevenage, and at odds-against versus an U23 side plying their trade in the second tier of the reserve division they definitely fit the pattern of league sides who should be causing an upset. It's a big surprise to see Oxford pitched out at 21/20 with a couple of firms ahead of the match against Brighton, and we confidently expect them to go off odds-on come the night.

3pts Oxdord to beat Birghton U23 at 21/20 (General)

Staying with League One sides against U23 opponents, Shrewsbury fielded a strong team when travelling to Cambridge, so are expected to do so again this week when they face the same West Brom side we confidently opposed a couple of weeks ago with Walsall (5 point bet that night). West Brom U23 have won just once all season, so there is no reason that a Shrewsbury side who have been getting results since the opening day should do anything other than keep their run going. They are unbeaten in 11 now.

Finally, Southend have won three on the spin now, and will almost certainly put out some sort of team against Reading U23. Reading could only draw at Colchester and will find an in-form Southend a much sterner test, so with all the stats we know about league sides in this competition, it would be rude to leave them off the staking plan on Tuesday.

1pt Double - Shrewsbury (8/13) and Southend (7/10) to both win.

#Football