2023-24 Carabao Cup: Round One – Gillingham vs Southampton

Gillingham welcome Southampton to Priestfield Stadium in the First Round of 2023-24 Carabao Cup.

Victory would see Gillingham advance to the Second Round for a fourth consecutive season, whilst Southampton are looking to avoid a First Round exit for the first time since 2007-08 season.

 

Team News

Gillingham have no fresh injury concerns after their 1-0 win at Stockport last weekend, with Glenn Morris and Josh Chambers looking to start after they were unused substitutes at Stockport.

Southampton manager, Russell Martin could rotate his squad after their Championship win at Sheffield Wednesday, with Alex McCarthy, Shea Charles and Moussa Djenepo looking for their first competitive starts of the season.

Kamaldeen Sulemana and Sekou Mara both were absent at the weekend and are unlikely to feature here.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Gillingham host Southampton at Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday 8 August in a 7:45pm BST kick-off, albeit untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Gillingham are winless against Southampton in three previous League Cup meetings across two ties (D1, L2), with their Second Round tie in 1992-93 season having been played over two legs.
• Southampton have avoided defeat in their two previous League Cup visits to Gillingham (W1, D1).
• Gillingham have failed to score in any of their three previous League Cup meetings against Southampton.
• Gillingham have won just one of their last nine matches against higher-ranked opposition in the League Cup (W1, D4, L4), excluding penalty shootouts.
• Excluding penalty shootouts, Southampton have lost just one of their last six matches against lower league opposition in the League Cup (W3, D2, L1).

 

Prediction

Although they scraped a win at Stockport on Saturday and have good form in this competition in recent years, Gillingham needs to be pitch perfect if they’re to claim an early scalp because Southampton won’t be a pushover by any stretch.

Southampton meanwhile made a positive start to life under Martin with a solid win at Sheffield Wednesday, where they dominated possession but struggled with their end product at times, whilst they will be eager to atone for conceding from a corner kick.

As is often the case in this round, there will be changes to both teams but I seriously expect Southampton’s quality to see them through, in-turn avoiding a cupset because Gillingham’s focus surely has to be on having a stronger league campaign.

Prediction: Gillingham 0-2 Southampton

Result: Gillingham 3-1 Southampton