It may officially be a group stage game, but for the clubs in Southern Group G of the Papa Johns Trophy the competition has already reached the knockout stage, as with all four sides on three points going in to tonight's last round of games, the two winners will go through and the losers go out. With a penalty shoot out giving an extra point to the winners in the event of a game which is drawn after 90 minutes, goal difference won't be required to determine who qualifies, although may be needed to determine who finishes top of the group and earns a home tie in the first knock out stage.
As tonight's game is a cup tie season tickets are not valid and everyone must have a match ticket to gain admission. See below for details.
Sutton's attempt to repeat last year's run to the final will depend on victory tonight against Oxford United in a battle of the U's. Like Sutton, Oxford know the feeling of losing in the final at Wembley, having suffered the fate in 2016 and 2017, and after the first round of matches this season seemed well placed to qualify for the knock out stages after beating Leyton Orient 5-0, but a 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, plus Orient's win against Sutton, has left everyone level going in to tonight's games, in which Leyton Orient also entertain Chelsea, kicking off at 7pm, 45 minutes before U's and Oxford kick off at the VBS. If goal difference is required to separate first and second in the group, Sutton currently have a two goal advantage on Leyton Orient but are one goal inferior to Chelsea.
In League One it's been a disappointing start to the season for Oxford, who just missed out last season on a third consecutive play-off appearance, but they recorded a fine 4-2 win at Exeter on Saturday and are currently in 19th place in the table.
Both sides could make changes to the weekend line-ups, although Sutton manager Matt Gray might be restricted in his permutations by the current injury situation. Craig Eastmond will definitely be missing tonight, as he is suspended for one PJT game after being sent off at Orient, but Roman Charles-Cook has returned from his loan at Cray Wanderers and may be included in the squad.
Referee Sunny Gill is in his first EFL season, having been promoted from the National League where his first game was the opening game of the 2020-21 season between Sutton and Maidenhead.
Tickets are available on line to buy, prices are £12 for adults, £7 for concessions and £3 for Under 18s. Tickets for children aged 12 and under are free if bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Seats cost £2 more in all cases. Tickets for Sutton supporters can be bought here, while Oxford supporters have their own link here to buy tickets for the away end. Tickets are also on sale at the ticket kiosk this evening for Sutton supporters, while Oxford supporters can buy on the night from the visiting turnstiles.
As it is a Papa Johns Trophy game it will be live streamed on our iFollow service, and passes, price £10, can be bought here.
The Sutton fanzone will be open from 6pm this evening, with a curry available at £5.50 in addition to the usual drinks from the bar, with a fanzone also available for Oxford supporters inside the ground behind the vsiting supporter accommodation.
A match programme can be ordered here.