Fulham U21s visit The Lamex Stadium for our final Leasing.com Trophy South Group G game…
For information on tickets, parking, opening times, and everything else, please take a read of our What’s On guide.
- Onto the game…
After falling to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to MK Dons on Matchday 1 of the Leasing.com Trophy, a much-needed first win of the season came at Wycombe for Mark Sampson’s men, with Jason Cowley bagging the only goal of the game.
The victory at Adams Park and Fulham’s defeat to MK earlier this month has allowed Stevenage hope in qualifying from the group stage of the competition for the first time in their history.
Two home wins on the spin in League Two versus Grimsby Town and Morecambe have seen Boro move off the bottom of the table, and with their home form improving, will look to carry on climbing away from the relegation zone.
Success over the young Cottagers will go a long way to qualifying Stevenage into the next round, with pointless Wycombe Wanders left with two games to play. Gareth Ainsworth’s side will have to win games at home to Fulham and away to MK Dons, as well as better Boro’s goal difference, in order to deny Mark Sampson’s Stevenage qualification.
A defeat for Fulham U21s would see them knocked out of the competition after just two games.
- View from the Camp...
After Saturday’s win against Morecambe, Mark Sampson looks ahead to potential qualification on Tuesday night, but insists his players’ attitude, mentality and fitness will play a key part in deciding the result.
“It is a game to go and win. As I said about the run of form we are building, the resilience and mentality we are building, we want to be competitive in every game and try to win every game.”
“We can qualify. We know if we win on Tuesday, it puts ourselves a few more games closer to Wembley. We will certainly be going in with a mindset of trying to win Tuesday.”
- A closer look…
Tomorrow’s opponents Fulham are sure to provide a tricky test for Stevenage. The South West London youngsters put in a performance to be proud of in Matchday One away at Milton Keynes Dons, losing by just one goal to nil.
With Football League stalwarts like Kieran Agard, Russell Martin and Hiram Boateng starting for The Dons, Fulham put in an encouraging performance and were unlucky to come away empty-handed.
The Cottagers Academy side were awarded Category One status in 2012, and currently ply their trade in the second division of the Premier League 2.
Fulham’s most recent PL2 outing was a resounding 4-0 home win versus Sunderland. Goals from Ben Davis and Luca De La Torre either side of a Fabio Carvalho double moved them up to three points from the play-off places.
Fulham boast an impressive array of Academy Graduates in recent years, with the likes of Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon, Olympique Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and AS Roma’s Chris Smalling coming through the youth set up.Not many names pop to mind when thinking of Stevenage players who have played for both sides, other than Barry Hayles who played 175 times for Fulham after leaving Stevenage, with a spell at Bristol Rovers in between. Hayles spent six seasons at Fulham, three of which in the Premier League, before working his way back down the leagues to current employers Merstham FC.
Michael Timlin can also be added to the remarkable list of Fulham Academy graduates, earning a handful of cup appearances and loan moves between 2004 and 2007, moving onto Swindon Town in permanently in 2008.
- Officials...
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistant Referee 1: Leigh Crowhurst
Assistant Referee 2: Oliver Mackey
Fourth Official: Stuart Butler
- Betting…
Stevenage are 11/10 favourites to win with league sponsors Sky Bet, while Fulham U21s are 19/10 to cause an upset. If you do fancy a flutter tomorrow night, use our designated link which enables the club to receive a slice of your stake!
Also, don't forget that supporters can now check-in on matchdays, unlock achievements and earn special rewards courtesy of Sky Bet, title sponsors of the EFL. Download the new Sky Bet EFL Rewards app by clicking here.
- Online coverage…
Stevenage fans will be able to stream the game LIVE from the comfort of their own home, buy purchasing a Video Match Pass for just £10.
Not only will you be able to watch the game live from your laptop, computer, phone or tablet, but streamers will also receive BBC 3CR's commentary for the full immersive experience.
80% of the net revenue gained goes straight into the Club, so click here and scroll down until you find "Match Passes" to purchase your Video Match Pass now.
Make sure you are following our Twitter account throughout the day as we bring you the very latest from The Lamex Stadium.
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