Colchester United welcome Southampton to the Colchester Community Stadium on Saturday evening for this EFL Cup first-round showdown.
The home side finished 12th in League Two last term, missing out on the play-offs by 12 points and having to settle for another season in the fourth tier.
Saints made it through to the Championship play-off final but were eventually expelled from the game after admitting they spied on three teams during the season.
As such, Saints will be looking to make a fast start to the 2026/27 campaign, one that Tonda Eckert will hope finishes with promotion back to the top-flight.
Colchester v Southampton Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score - Yes @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Cyle Larin to score anytime @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Southampton to win, Over 2 goals & Ellis Iandolo to be booked @ 4/1
Colchester v Southampton Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score - Yes @ 10/11
The early rounds of the EFL Cup often produce shock results, especially as teams higher up the football pyramid tend to place greater focus on the league.
This could work in Colchester's favour against Saints, who might still be rocked by their expulsion from the play-off final.
As such, the home side will look to spring a surprise or two by getting on the scoresheet. Across seven pre-season friendlies, the U's scored 13 goals, conceding eight times in the process.
Both teams scored in three of Southampton's four pre-season matches, while this bet would have landed in six of their last seven games in all competitions towards the end of 2025/26.
Both sides will be determined to get up and running in order to begin the campaign off brightly.
Alternative Bet: Cyle Larin to score anytime @ 20/21
Cyle Larin has made his move to Southampton permanent following a spell on loan during the second half of last season.
Across 18 Championship appearances, the Canadian striker netted eight goals, helping his side reach the play-offs.
After shining for the Saints, Larin made an impression at the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals for the Canucks as they reached the last 16 on home soil.
Those displays on the world stage should give the 31-year-old a major confidence boost heading into the new campaign.
A clash against League Two Colchester gives the forward an ideal chance to open his account for the campaign.
Colchester v Southampton Bet Builder Tip
Southampton to win
Over 2 goals
Ellis Iandolo to be booked
Pays 4/1
Southampton start this match as overwhelming favourites and, while cup competitions tend to throw up the occasional shock, Saints should prove too much for their opponents.
Last season, the south coast side reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, even taking the lead against Manchester City, before the Premier League powerhouses mounted a famous comeback.
Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Southampton have reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals of this tournament, exiting at round three last term.
Colchester may have home advantage and there is no doubt the League Two side will be tricky opponents, but expect Eckert's men to do the business.
There could also be plenty of goals in this clash, especially if both teams carry their form from pre-season into the match.
A total of 21 goals were scored in Colchester's seven fixtures, while 11 goals were scored in Southampton's four matches in pre-season.
Saints scored 82 league goals last term, ranking behind only Coventry City, while the U's netted 62 goals in 46 games. Expect this tie to feature three or more goals.
Defender Ellis Iandolo will likely start at left-back for the hosts and he received eight cautions in League Two last season.
He is going to be kept busy by the likes of Larin, Finn Azaz and Lewis Dobbin throughout the match, so don't be surprised to see him end up in the book.
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Key Match Stats
This will be the first meeting between these two sides since 2011
Southampton have won just one of their last four fixtures against Colchester
Saints have suffered just one defeat in the first round since 2007 (2023)
Colchester have made it beyond the first round on just nine occasions this century
Cyle Larin scored eight goals in 18 league games for Saints last season
The U's won just 18 league matches last season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
