MATCHWATCH : Charlton Athletic (h)

[Sutekh]

If our second string can beat Arsenal U21s they can beat Brighton's too.

Hopefully another case of the difference being our lot having more actual match experience and being a step ahead.

Didnt think u21 sides were allowed to play at home, oh well must be a reward for one getting this far. Not going to be easy, they won 4-0 at Franchise on Tuesday.

[Stranded]

Brighton U 21’s away in next round. Matches W/C 8th January.

Very winnable if we play a few first teamers.

I guess it will be at Crawley

I believe that the tie has to be played at the Home team's registered venue, so I take it that should be at the American Express Stadium. Unless B&H ask for the game to be moved to the Mad. Stad., and the EFL agree to it! So it will be Brighton then.

That is correct EFL rules state if an u21 team is at home it must be at the stadium designated by the PL as the first team stadium. Brighton can request the tie be switched but at EFL discretion.

[Clyde1998]

If our second string can beat Arsenal U21s they can beat Brighton's too.

Hopefully another case of the difference being our lot having more actual match experience and being a step ahead.

Though tbf they have some excellent youngsters playing in the first team. Guess it depends if they are still there

They do, but you wouldn't expect Brighton would want to risk them in a game like this. They've only played one over U21 player in the competition this season - and that's their third choice goalkeeper. The game is expected to take place on the Tuesday or Wednesday after the Premier League's winter break starts though, so that increases the chance they'll feature in some regard.

If Brighton play a similar strength side to the one Arsenal played - perhaps two players who have a decent amount of Premier League experience with the rest of the squad being typical U21 players - we should get through the tie, especially as our U21 team is level on points with them in the league. They did beat Milton Keynes 4-0, but they played a very weak side; they required penalties to beat Shrewsbury and Forest Green and beat Walsall in the group stage.

One of the best ties we would've got. Just have to go and beat them.

[Sutekh]

If our second string can beat Arsenal U21s they can beat Brighton's too.

Hopefully another case of the difference being our lot having more actual match experience and being a step ahead.

Though tbf they have some excellent youngsters playing in the first team. Guess it depends if they are still there

They do, but you wouldn't expect Brighton would want to risk them in a game like this. They've only played one over U21 player in the competition this season - and that's their third choice goalkeeper. The game is expected to take place on the Tuesday or Wednesday after the Premier League's winter break starts though, so that increases the chance they'll feature in some regard.

If Brighton play a similar strength side to the one Arsenal played - perhaps two players who have a decent amount of Premier League experience with the rest of the squad being typical U21 players - we should get through the tie, especially as our U21 team is level on points with them in the league. They did beat Milton Keynes 4-0, but they played a very weak side; they required penalties to beat Shrewsbury and Forest Green and beat Walsall in the group stage.

One of the best ties we would've got. Just have to go and beat them.

Is that still a thing? Wouldn't it be better, if they did have a break, to time it to be in conjunction with the early rounds of the African Nations Cup finals given the number of African players in the PL?

[Clyde1998]

Though tbf they have some excellent youngsters playing in the first team. Guess it depends if they are still there

They do, but you wouldn't expect Brighton would want to risk them in a game like this. They've only played one over U21 player in the competition this season - and that's their third choice goalkeeper. The game is expected to take place on the Tuesday or Wednesday after the Premier League's winter break starts though, so that increases the chance they'll feature in some regard.

If Brighton play a similar strength side to the one Arsenal played - perhaps two players who have a decent amount of Premier League experience with the rest of the squad being typical U21 players - we should get through the tie, especially as our U21 team is level on points with them in the league. They did beat Milton Keynes 4-0, but they played a very weak side; they required penalties to beat Shrewsbury and Forest Green and beat Walsall in the group stage.

One of the best ties we would've got. Just have to go and beat them.

Is that still a thing? Wouldn't it be better, if they did have a break, to time it to be in conjunction with the early rounds of the African Nations Cup finals given the number of African players in the PL?

Had a look and I can't tell if there's actually a break or not. Half of Premier League sides are playing on the 13-15 January; the other half play 20-22 January - all games are on TV during that period. Normality isn't resumed until the 30 January.

In the case of Brighton, they play in the FA Cup on 6th January and don't play another game until the 22nd. Afcon starts on the 13th and the first knockout games are on the 27th; Premier League sides will only have a single fixture during the group stage.

[Royals and Racers]

Fixture now arranged- Tuesday 9th January KO 7pm at the Amex stadium