Swindon Town's first game of the 2021-22 EFL Trophy sees them take on Arsenal Under-21s at the County Ground in Southern section Group F on Tuesday night.
Ben Garner's side most recently played out a 1-1 draw with Stevenage in Saturday's League Two clash, while the Gunners' academy drew 1-1 with Southampton in the Premier League Cup.
Match preview
Seeking an immediate return to League One following their demotion last term, Swindon opened the season in dismal fashion with defeat to Carlisle United but have since strung together a four-game unbeaten run in the fourth tier.
After taking seven points from clashes with Tranmere Rovers, Salford City and Mansfield Town - keeping three successive clean sheets - Garner's side travelled to Stevenage at the weekend only to see their resilience broken by Ben Coker's 54th-minute opener.
Refusing to wave the white flag, Swindon were awarded a controversial penalty in the fifth minute of added time - which Jack Payne stepped up to and tucked away - but Garner was ultimately "disappointed" not to have taken all three points home.
Swindon's promotion push takes a back seat for the time being, as the League Two side seek to end their group-stage hoodoo in the EFL Trophy, with their last three campaigns all ending at the first hurdle, and they have only ever reached the final once in the 2011-12 season.
A significant summer of change at Arsenal's academy saw Kevin Betsy assume control of the reins, with the ex-Seychelles international taking charge following Steve Bould's departure from the setup earlier this year.
A 6-1 thrashing at the hands of West Ham United was hardly an ideal way for Betsy to start his reign in the dugout, but the Gunners' prospects have since claimed back-to-back Premier League 2 wins over Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur before meeting Southampton in the Premier League Cup on Thursday.
Saints starlet Caleb Watts drew first blood for his side with 16 minutes on the clock, but the highly-rated Mika Biereth - who joined from Fulham in the summer - restored parity for Arsenal just before the break to make it three unbeaten games on the spin for Arsenal.
The Gunners' Under-21 side progressed as group winners in the 2020-21 EFL Trophy before being knocked out 3-0 by AFC Wimbledon in the second round, and they travel to Swindon having failed to keep a single clean sheet in their last 11 away matches.
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Team News
Swindon midfielder Jonathan Williams is away on international duty with Wales and will play no part in this fixture, while Mathieu Baudry continues to nurse a muscle injury.
Jordan Lyden is also out of contention with a similar problem, but Garner otherwise has few concerns, although alterations could be on the cards given the quick fixture turnaround.
The hosts have three teenagers all vying to lead the line against Arsenal's prospects, with 18-year-old Harry Parsons and Alex Gilbert and Tyreece Simpson - both 19 - all hoping to spearhead the attack.
Arsenal recently saw two academy players in Omari Hutchinson and Charlie Patino turn out in a 4-0 friendly win over Brentford, with the latter reported to have put in an impressive showing.
However, there was no sign of centre-back Omar Rekik in their recent draw with Southampton, while Kido Taylor-Hart - who netted both goals in last month's 2-1 win over Spurs - was also nowhere to be seen.
Talented forward Biereth is set to lead the line once more having already struck twice for the academy side, while goalkeeper Karl Hein is away with the Estonia national team.
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Ward; Odimayo, Conroy, Crichlow; Hunt, Reed, East, Iandolo; Payne, Gladwin; Parsons
Arsenal Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Graczyk; Monlouis, Kirk, Rekik; Swanson, Patino, Akinola, Ogungbo; Hutchinson, Taylor-Hart; Biereth
We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Arsenal Under-21s (Swindon to win on penalties)
Arsenal undoubtedly boast some top quality attacking prospects in their ranks, but Swindon have not conceded many goals this term, and we do not expect that trend to change here.
The two sides may not be separated over the course of 90 minutes, but we think that Swindon's greater experience and nous from the penalty spot will see them to an opening victory in the EFL trophy.
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