Colchester United vs Arsenal U21 Prediction: Youngsters can bag win

Danny Cowley’s Colchester United are currently struggling near the foot of League 2 having won just two of their 14 league matches so far this season. They will turn their attention to the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night however as they host Arsenal U21 (19:45) at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Both of these teams have picked up four points from their two group games so far, so this will be a decider and the winner will take top spot in Group M. Below you will find my Colchester United vs Arsenal U21 predictions, featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Rob Hunt is suspended for this game having been booked in both EFL Trophy games so far so Mandela Egbo or Oscar Thorn could play at right-back. Lyle Taylor, Jamie McDonnell and Aaron Donnelly are all away on international duty with striker Taylor turning out for Montserrat and the other two heading off to play for Northern Ireland’s U21s. 

Matt Macey is a name that will be familiar to Arsenal fans, but their former academy star is unlikely to play against the Gunners. He hasn’t featured in this competition so far, so expect his understudy Tom Smith to don the gloves for this one. 

Football Odds

Arsenal’s youngsters are also missing a few major names due to the international break. Five players, including three goalkeepers plus Maldini Kacurri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will all miss the trip to Colchester, with Lewis-Skelly getting decent first team minutes this season. Brian Okonkwo, brother of Arthur who moved to Wrexham permanently this summer, should play in goal while Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is in line to captain the side. 

Colchester vs Arsenal U21 Odds

Colchester are priced at 19/20 to win this game with Arsenal U21 available at 9/4. That gives the home side an implied win probability of 54%, while a draw can be backed at 5/2. Over 2.5 goals is 8/15 and BTTS is 1/2.

BTTS @ 1/2

These games tend to be packed full of goals. Colchester have also seen loads of goals this term and have one of the highest BTTS percentages in League 2. In nine of their 14 league games this season both teams have found the net, while both teams have also scored in both of their EFL Trophy games. 

They are on a run of six consecutive games in all competitions where both teams have scored, while Arsenal U21 are also partial to a goalfest. BTTS has come in during both of their EFL Trophy games, while they have beaten Blackburn 4-3 and lost 5-2 to Spurs in recent weeks. We should see plenty of goalmouth action on Tuesday night.  

Arsenal U21 to win @ 9/4

I think that Arsenal U21 have been slightly overpriced heading into this game, with Colchester the odds-on favourites to win despite their poor league form. The U’s are hovering just above the relegation zone, and haven’t won any of their last nine in all competitions. 

Arsenal U21 meanwhile have shown they can score plenty of goals and up against a leaky defence will fancy their chances of securing top spot. Both sides have international absentees, but I just feel Arsenal U21 could tear Colchester apart with some dynamic and attacking football. Cowley will be fully focused on the league, and perhaps this competition is a slightly unwanted distraction. Away win. 

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