Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Reading will be bidding to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Southern section of the EFL Trophy when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s on Tuesday night.

The visitors overcame Charlton Athletic on penalties in the previous round of the competition, while Brighton Under-21s thumped MK Dons 4-0 to progress to the round of 16.

Match preview

Brighton Under-21s picked up six points from their three matches in Southern Group A to finish second behind Forest Green Rovers and advance to the next stage of the competition.

The Seagulls were drawn against MK Dons in the round of 32, and they made light work of the League Two outfit, recording a 4-0 victory to breeze into the round of 16.

All four of their goals against MK Dons came in the second period, with Samy Chouchane making the breakthrough from the penalty spot before Joe Knight, Ruairi McConville and Sahil Bashir also registered.

Brighton Under-21s will make a step-up in class in this match, facing League One side Reading, with the winner booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the Southern section of the EFL Trophy.

Shannon Ruth's side were last in action on December 20, recording a 2-1 victory over Lyon Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup.

Reading, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 win over Exeter City in League One on New Year's Day, with the result leaving them in 21st position in the table.

The Royals are have won seven, drawn six and lost 12 of their 25 league games this season to collect 23 points, three points behind 20th-placed Exeter, demonstrating the importance of their win last time out.

Ruben Selles's side will be focused on the league this season, but this competition provides the chance to win silverware, and they will be expecting to beat their youthful opponents in this contest.

Reading were in excellent form in the group stage of this season's EFL Trophy, finishing top of Southern Group G on nine points, scoring 19 times in their three matches and conceding just twice.

The Royals needed a penalty shootout to navigate their way past Charlton in the last round, though, with Charlie Savage cancelling out an opener from Alfie May to leave the scores level at 1-1, before Selles's team triumphed 4-2 on penalties to advance to this stage.

Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s EFL Trophy form:

Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s form (all competitions):

Reading EFL Trophy form:

Reading form (all competitions):

Team News

Brighton Under-21s head coach Ruth could name the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against MK Dons in the last round of the competition at the start of December.

However, it seems likely that Knight will come in for a start considering his goal and strong performance in the second half of the contest against their League Two opponents.

There are plenty of options in the final third of the field, but Louis Flower is likely to be given the nod down the middle, while Chouchane is also set to feature in midfield for the Under-21s outfit.

As for Reading, head coach Selles could name the same XI that started against Charlton, with a number of squad players set to be given opportunities to impress.

There will be a number of changes to the side that started Exeter in the league last time out, including a start for Joel Pereira between the sticks.

Amadou Mbengue should also come into the team at right-back, while it is likely that Paul Mukairu will be introduced in a forward area for the Royals.

Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s possible starting lineup:

McGill; Nilsson, McConville, Jackson, Slater; Mullins, Knight, Chouchane; Peart, Flower, Duffus

Reading possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Mbengue, Bindon, Abbey, Mola; Wing, Elliott, Hutchinson; Vickers, Smith, Mukairu

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s 0-2 Reading

Reading have been impressive in this season's competition, and we are expecting the League One side to advance to the next stage with a two-goal success. Brighton Under-21s have a lot of talent, but Ruth's side could come unstuck in Tuesday evening's contest.

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