Preview: Cambridge United vs Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Battling for a place in the third round of the EFL Cup, League One outfit Cambridge United welcome Championship side Millwall to Cledara Abbey Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The U's advanced from the first round with a 2-1 win over Barnet, while Alex Neil's side edged past Queens Park Rangers on penalties following a goalless draw.

Match preview

Following their relegation from League One at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, Cambridge United entered last season with the sole aim of securing an immediate return to the third tier, something they achieved by finishing in the final automatic promotion spot with 82 points.

Life back in League One has started positively for the U's, who held on to beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 on the opening day before playing out a 1-1 draw away to fellow promoted side Bromley.

Those four points came either side of a 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Barnet, where Cambridge recovered from an early deficit by scoring twice in five minutes to progress to the second round.

While Neil Harris will be pleased with his side's unbeaten start, he will know there is still room for improvement after Cambridge twice allowed opponents back into games.

The U's looked set for a comfortable win after racing into a 3-0 lead against Wigan, but two goals in four minutes gave the Latics hope before Cambridge held on, while they were also pegged back by an 81st-minute equaliser against fellow promoted side Bromley.

Harris will now come up against his former club, with the Cambridge boss hoping to lead his current side into the third round at the expense of the Championship outfit.

As for Millwall, they enter Tuesday's contest on the back of their best league finish of the 21st century after securing third place in the Championship last season.

That finish would have been enough for automatic promotion from League Two, but the Lions were forced to navigate the playoffs and ultimately suffered semi-final heartbreak against eventual promoted side Hull City.

Despite that disappointment, Neil's side have made a strong start to the new campaign, beating Queens Park Rangers on penalties in the EFL Cup before securing back-to-back Championship victories over Bristol City and Norwich City.

The EFL Cup success was particularly impressive, with goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saving all four of QPR's penalties to send Millwall into the second round.

The Lions have since followed that up by scoring five goals without reply in their two league victories, beating a Bristol City side expected to challenge for the playoffs before thrashing Norwich City 3-0 at The Den.

The two clubs have met just twice previously in competitive competition, with Millwall winning the first encounter before Cambridge claimed a 1-0 victory in their most recent meeting, a League Cup tie four years ago.

Cambridge United EFL Cup form:

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

Millwall EFL Cup form:

Millwall form (all competitions):

Team News

After making an unbeaten start to the campaign, Harris may have been tempted to name an unchanged XI against the Championship side, but an injury picked up last time out is likely to force at least one alteration.

Shane McLoughlin was forced off shortly before half-time against Bromley with an injury, with Sullay Kaikai introduced in his place, and McLoughlin is now expected to miss Tuesday's contest.

Jake Eastwood should continue in goal after starting all three of Cambridge's matches this season, having also kept 18 clean sheets in 45 league appearances during their promotion-winning campaign.

Ben Knight is also expected to retain his place in attack after scoring twice in his last three appearances.

Millwall, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns following their 3-0 victory over Norwich, although Neil is likely to make changes given the strength of the opposition and the congested fixture schedule.

Lyndon Dykes is yet to start since joining the Lions during the summer and could be handed an opportunity to lead the line, with Josh Coburn potentially dropping to the bench.

Tairyk Arconte scored twice against Norwich but could also be rested, with Zak Lovelace among those who could benefit from a rotation in attack.

Neil will remain without Massimo Luongo, new signing Mathis Servais, Femi Azeez and Mihailo Ivanovic, who are all dealing with various injury or fitness issues.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Jobe, Watts, Perry; Bennett, Ball, Kaikai, Mpanzu; Knight, Appere, Heath

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Leonard, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge; Neghli, De Norre, Metcalfe; Lovelace, Dykes, Lisbie

We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Millwall

The two sides were separated by two divisions last season, and although Cambridge have since earned promotion, Millwall's Championship pedigree should still give them the edge heading into Tuesday's contest.

The U's possess enough quality to make this a competitive contest, particularly given their defensive record, which was the best in the entire EFL last season, but Millwall's strong start and greater depth should ultimately see the Championship outfit edge into the third round.

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