I’ve spent my morning scouring through fan forums, local newspapers and club official sites in the desperate search for some news regarding the 18 EFL trophy games being played this evening. Fair to say not many clubs give a hoot about this competition and valuable information is very difficult to find. However, through my hours of research, I found some snippets of info that may be of some value to you guys. My best four picks for the games tonight and the research behind those selections are listed below and can be put into a reasonably priced accumulator if you so wish.

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Port Vale v Liverpool U21’s

Port Vale have the chance to record their best home run for nearly 30 years when they take on Liverpool under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy tonight. The hosts have actually won their last six home games on the spin, the first time that has been achieved since the start of the 2016/17 season under Bruno Ribeiro. This form has seen them rise to second in League Two on a run of 9 wins from their last 11 games.

Now rotation is inevitable for the hosts but the manager has been happy to praise the depth in his squad, in particular those players who have been patient for a chance and then seized it when given game-time in the first team. He could give starts to Aaron Martin, Brad Walker, Jake Taylor, Ben Garrity and George Lloyd after all five came off the bench in the 5-1 weekend win against Accrington. Leon Legge could also feature after the experienced centre half was an unused substitute on Saturday, the first time he has been in a matchday squad since suffering a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Stevenage on August 21.

Vale need just a point to progress but will be very keen to win in order to keep up their fantastic winning momentum and their impressive winning run at home. Meanwhile the Liverpool youngsters have lost both of their Group D games so far, conceding 8 goals in the process and scoring just once. They will also be missing numerous players due to international call-ups and injury and I fancy an in-form Vale to secure qualification through to the next round with another win here.

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Sunderland v Bradford

Pressure is mounting on Lee Johnson following three successive losses and with that in mind you may be wondering why I am tipping a Sunderland win this evening. The EFL Trophy is usually of little importance but a number of Sunderland sources suggest they may go stronger than you might expect tonight in a bid to stop the losing momentum. The official site said this ”whilst Lee Johnson’s side have already sealed passage to the competition’s knockout rounds in an effort to retain the cup, the Head Coach could potentially field a strong line-up to look to regain winning momentum after a tough run of recent results“.

Worth also noting that Sunderland are without a league game this weekend due to international call-ups so it is actually 11 days until their next league fixture. With that in mind, Johnson can afford to field a stronger side than he may normally and not have to worry about potential fatigue with his side not playing again until they host Ipswich on the 20th November. Johnson on the game said ”We’ll use the Bradford game to top up minutes for those who need it. We are already through, but we want to build some momentum and win, and then we’ll prepare as best we can with the players who are here“.

The game is in theory a bit of a dead rubber with Sunderland already through and Bradford already out but it certainly means more to Johnson and his men as they look to turn around their form.

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Sheffield Wednesday v Harrogate

The top two sides in Group H clash horns at Hillsborough tonight with the aim of the game for both teams to get the win which would offer the victorious side a home draw for the next round. Wednesday, who are on a fine run of form, arrive tonight on an unbeaten run of eight games in all competitions and Darren Moore will be keen to extend that run.

Rotation again highly likely but fair to suggest Wednesday have one of the most complete squads in the competition the EFL trophy provides valuable minutes to squad players, and they are certainly among the favourites to go all the way in this year’s tournament. Local sources suggest that Moore is likely to still include some very experienced names in tonight’s squad including Saido Berahino, Massimo Luongo and Barry Bannan. They won’t necessarily start but should be at least on the bench and can be used to help the Owls seal the win if required.

Harrogate are a capable side but worth noting they are 23 league positions below Sheffield Wednesday in the football pyramid and were a National league side as recently as 2020. They have nowhere near the level of strength in depth that the Owls do and I fancy the hosts to seal the win tonight which will see them top the group.

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Ipswich v Colchester

My last fancy of the night takes place at Portman Road where League One promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town host League Two strugglers Colchester United. It’s worth noting that the two teams are facing a ‘winner-takes-all’ scenario. West Ham’s Under 21s are already through, beating Gillingham last month, and one of tonight’s participants will join them.

No secret the heavy investment the Ipswich playing squad had this summer. As a result they have a squad, not just a starting 11 which should be considered capable of earning promotion to the Championship this season. Paul Cooke has admitted there will be changes but the players that are likely to come in still hold plenty of quality and experience. Expect to see the likes of Vaclav Hladky, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess, Matt Penney, Idris El Mizouni, Rekeem Harper, Scott Fraser, Kayden Jackson, Louis Barry and Sone Aluko. All will certainly be looking to prove a point in a bid to force their way into the first-team.

Colchester will also likely rotate with their main goal this season avoiding relegation from the football league. They are also still in the FA Cup and a run in that will be considered far more important than reaching the latter stages of the Papa John’s Trophy. All things considered I strongly fancy an Ipswich home win this evening.

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