Preview: Stevenage vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have beaten Queens Park Rangers and Walsall to secure their spot at this stage of the competition, while Stevenage overcame Reading and Peterborough United in the first and second round respectively.

Match preview

Stevenage will enter this match off the back of a thrilling FA Cup contest with Gateshead on Saturday afternoon, progressing to the second round of the competition courtesy of a 3-2 victory.

Steve Evans's side have won twice in this season's EFL Cup to progress to the third round, meanwhile, recording a 2-1 victory over Reading before beating Peterborough 1-0 in the second round.

Stevenage are also flying high in League Two, picking up 36 points from their opening 17 matches to sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Leyton Orient.

Securing promotion to League One would represent a brilliant campaign for the Hertfordshire club, with success in the cup competitions seen as a bonus.

Facing a team one division higher, the home side will be the underdogs on Tuesday night, but they have only lost once in all competitions since the middle of September, winning two of their last three in the process.

Charlton, meanwhile, also booked their spot in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a 4-1 home success over Coalville Town.

Ben Garner's side also beat Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s 2-1 in the EFL Trophy on November 2, with their last League One fixture proving to be the 4-4 draw with Ipswich Town at the end of last month.

A total of 23 points from 17 matches has left Charlton in ninth position in their domestic table, just four points behind sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers.

Like Stevenage, the Addicks will be prioritising success in League One over the cup competitions, but they will want to avoid what would be a surprise elimination from the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.

The Red Robins have not faced Stevenage in the league since the 2011-12 campaign, with both teams winning their home fixture during that campaign, although the pair did meet in the EFL Trophy in October 2018, with Charlton recording an 8-0 victory.

Stevenage EFL Cup form:

W

W

Stevenage form (all competitions):

D

W

L

W

D

W

Charlton Athletic EFL Cup form:

W

W

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

W

W

Team News

Stevenage boss Evans will need to assess the fitness of his players following the victory over Gateshead in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The starting side is expected to be similar for this one, although Jordan Roberts will be suspended following his red card in the FA Cup fixture.

Michael Bostwick is likely to come into a midfield position for Stevenage, while Luke Norris, who registered off the bench on Saturday, could also feature in the first XI.

As for Charlton, head coach Garner will view next weekend's trip to Burton Albion as a much bigger contest than this one, so a number of squad players are again expected to be given minutes here.

Terell Thomas had to be substituted in the early stages of Saturday's clash, which is likely to mean a start for 17-year-old Zach Mitchell.

Jack Payne scored twice during a strong performance in the FA Cup and is set to keep his spot in a wide area, with Jayden Stockley leading the line for the League Two side.

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Chapman; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni, Earley; Campbell, Gilbey, Bostwick; Rose, Norris

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Clare, Lavelle, Mitchell, Sessegnon; McGrandles, Dobson; Payne, Morgan, Campbell; Stockley

We say: Stevenage 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Charlton will enter this match as the favourites, but Stevenage's form is difficult to ignore. It would certainly not be a surprise to see an away success, but we believe that a strong Stevenage outfit will be able to navigate their way into the next round of the competition.

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