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Predictions graded

Cheltenham Town2Tottenham U212

HT 1–0Tue 13 Oct 2026, 18:00 Predictions graded

Predictions8–562%

Edges1–420%

PossPossession 46%–54%ShotsShots 15–16On targetOn target 5–4CornersCorners 7–6

Quick Take

Pre-match view

Context last updated 13 Oct 2026, 16:23 · Europe/Bucharest

An academy side leading Premier League 2 visits Cheltenham in an EFL Trophy group game, against a senior team that has conceded in all 13 competitive matches.

Cheltenham's home advantage should just shade it, but 1.91 on a home win asks too much. Five quoted selections offer something: Under 2.5 goals at 3.8, both teams not to score at 3.4, no first-half goal at 4.75, the draw or a Tottenham win at 1.88, and the draw at 4.2.

Context

EFL Trophy group matches that finish level are decided by a penalty shootout, so Cheltenham's 2-2 draw with Exeter City and their 4-3 shootout win on 22 September earned the extra bonus point. The same rule means tonight's tie would be settled from the spot if it is level after 90 minutes, which puts the emphasis on a settled goalkeeper and a rehearsed penalty routine. It also gives Cheltenham a recent, competitive rehearsal for the one-off nature of the competition. Exeter's own group result against Tottenham is not covered by the available reporting, so the comparison between the two sides remains partial.
- Cheltenham Town drew 2-2 with Exeter City in their EFL Trophy group game on 22 September 2026 and won the resulting penalty shootout 4-3.
- Striker Jake Bickerstaff scored, won a penalty and converted a spot-kick in the shootout.
ConfirmedSources checked 13 Oct 2026, 16:21 · Europe/Bucharest
Burnett's side were unbeaten and top of Premier League 2 after beating Manchester City 4-2 on 19 September, with the club's academy account publishing his reaction. That form is the backdrop to their EFL Trophy trip to Cheltenham, where they are the invited academy side in a group containing senior EFL clubs. Tottenham have published a travel note and viewing guide rather than a squad list, so how strong a team they field at the EV Charger Points Stadium is unconfirmed.
- Tottenham's U21s moved to the top of the Premier League 2 table with a 4-2 win over Manchester City on 19 September 2026, the club's academy account reported.
- Head coach Wayne Burnett said the side 'created as many chances as we have done' in a 'good team performance'.
ConfirmedSources checked 13 Oct 2026, 16:21 · Europe/Bucharest
Stevenson's dismissal and Cotterill's public criticism of the officials followed a 0-2 home defeat to Salford City on 10 October, extending a difficult autumn for the Robins. The sporting question is whether Cotterill reshuffles his midfield for a midweek cup tie in which he might rotate regardless. A red card in a league fixture is served in League Two rather than the EFL Trophy, so it need not rule Stevenson out of this game. No confirmed team news for tonight had been published when this was written.
- Ben Stevenson was sent off in Cheltenham Town's 0-2 home League Two defeat by Salford City on 10 October 2026.
- Manager Steve Cotterill said Stevenson did not deserve the red card, calling the officiating 'very poor' and adding: 'I worry for our game.'
- B. Stevenson started 5 of the 5 recent team fixtures with available lineups, totalling 438 minutes across 5 appearances.
ReportedSources checked 13 Oct 2026, 16:21 · Europe/Bucharest
Cotterill returned to Cheltenham a year ago and has since passed 50 games in charge, according to local reporting. He has leaned on a consistent core this autumn, with the same defenders and captain used across recent league fixtures. That continuity is the context for a midweek Trophy tie in which he can decide how heavily to rotate.
- Cheltenham Town marked 30 September 2026 as the first anniversary of Steve Cotterill's return as manager.
- A supporters' podcast described the return as 'the boy came home'.
ConfirmedSources checked 13 Oct 2026, 16:21 · Europe/Bucharest

BetBugs edges

Compare BetBugs' chances with the market's.

BetBugs probabilities

How likely BetBugs thought each outcome was.

Result3 of 5 landed

Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Near coin-flip · Not priced
The read
Cheltenham's senior home side should shade an academy team even though their own defensive form is poor.
- Cheltenham are 4W-3D-6L in 13 competitive matches, scoring 1.38 and conceding 2.08 per game.
- At home they are 3W-1D-3L and have kept no clean sheet in seven home matches.
- Tottenham U21 are 9W-1D-3L in 13 competitive games, though almost all are against academy opposition.
- Cheltenham lost their two most recent league games 0-2 and had a player sent off on 10 October.
BetBugs · Match WinnerlostCheltenham TownEstimated chance40%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Near coin-flip · Not priced
The read
Both teams' first-half scoring is limited, making a level opening period the most likely outcome.
- Cheltenham average 0.86 first-half goals for and 1.0 against at home.
- Tottenham U21 average 0.85 first-half goals for and 0.85 against.
- Four of Cheltenham's last six games were level at half-time.
BetBugs · First Half WinnerlostDrawEstimated chance47%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Near coin-flip · Not priced
The read
Second halves involving these teams are often shared rather than won outright.
- Cheltenham's home second-half totals average 1.85 combined goals.
- Tottenham U21's second-half totals average 1.5 goals.
- Cheltenham drew the second half in 3 of their last 6 games.
BetBugs · Second Half WinnerwonDrawEstimated chance44%
Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Strong lean · Not priced
The read
Cheltenham's senior home side should shade an academy team even though their own defensive form is poor. Tottenham's young side is in strong attacking form and faces a defence that has not shut out anyone.
- Cheltenham are 4W-3D-6L in 13 competitive matches, scoring 1.38 and conceding 2.08 per game.
- At home they are 3W-1D-3L and have kept no clean sheet in seven home matches.
- Tottenham U21 have won 4 of their last 6 outings, scoring 3+ in five of them.
- They average 2.08 goals per game across 13 competitive matches.
BetBugs · Double ChancewonCheltenham Town or Tottenham U21Estimated chance73%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Strong lean · Not priced
The read
Both teams' first-half scoring is limited, making a level opening period the most likely outcome. Tottenham's habit of scoring early gives them a real chance of leading at the break.
- Cheltenham average 0.86 first-half goals for and 1.0 against at home.
- Tottenham U21 average 0.85 first-half goals for and 0.85 against.
- Tottenham U21 average 0.85 first-half goals and 0.85 conceded.
- They scored three first-half goals against Manchester City U21 on 19 September.
BetBugs · Double Chance First HalfwonDraw or Tottenham U21Estimated chance74%

Goals5 of 8 landed

Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Slight lean · Not priced
The read
Both sides score and concede regularly, pointing to a game with at least three goals.
- Cheltenham home matches average 1.57 scored and 2.14 conceded.
- Tottenham U21 average 2.08 goals scored per competitive game.
- Cheltenham have conceded in every one of 13 competitive matches.
BetBugs · Goals Over/UnderwonOver 2.5Estimated chance56%
Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Lean · Not priced
The read
Both teams regularly find the net and neither defends reliably enough to expect a shutout.
- Cheltenham scored in 10 of 13 competitive matches and conceded in all 13.
- Tottenham U21 scored in 11 of 13 and kept only 3 clean sheets.
- Cheltenham's home matches have produced both teams scoring in 6 of 7.
BetBugs · Both Teams to ScorewonYesEstimated chance60%
Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Strong lean · Not priced
The read
Both teams contribute first-half goals often enough that a goal before the break is likely.
- Cheltenham's home first-half totals average 1.86 goals combined.
- Tottenham U21's first-half totals average 1.7 goals combined.
- Cheltenham scored in the first half in 3 of their last 6 games.
BetBugs · 1st Half GoalswonOver 0.5 goals in 1st halfEstimated chance72%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Slight lean · Not priced
The read
Second-half goals are common for both teams, making the higher line a slight favourite.
- Cheltenham's home second-half totals average 1.85 goals combined.
- Tottenham U21's second-half totals average 1.5 goals.
- Cheltenham have conceded after the break in 4 of their last 6 games.
BetBugs · Goals Over Under Second HalfwonOver 1.5Estimated chance57%
Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Strong lean · Not priced
The read
Cheltenham concede in every game and face a side that scores regularly.
- Cheltenham have conceded in all 13 competitive matches.
- They conceded in all 7 home matches.
- Tottenham U21 found the net in 11 of 13 games.
BetBugs · Team to ScorelostTottenham U21 to scoreEstimated chance90%
Signal quality Medium · Uncertainty band Strong lean · Not priced
The read
Cheltenham find the net regularly at home against a defence that has conceded in most games.
- Cheltenham scored in 6 of 7 home matches.
- Tottenham U21 have only 3 clean sheets in 13 games.
- Cheltenham average 1.57 goals at home.
BetBugs · Team to ScorelostCheltenham Town to scoreEstimated chance80%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Slight lean · Not priced
The read
Cheltenham's recent scoring output suggests one goal or none is slightly more likely.
- Cheltenham scored exactly 1 goal or fewer in 4 of their last 6 games.
- Their home average is 1.57 goals.
- Cheltenham were blanked in their last two league games.
BetBugs · Home Goals TotallostCheltenham Town under 1.5Estimated chance52%
Signal quality Low · Uncertainty band Slight lean · Not priced
The read
Tottenham's scoring form and Cheltenham's leaky defence point to two or more away goals.
- Tottenham U21 average 2.08 goals overall and 1.83 away.
- They scored 3+ in five of their last six games.
- Cheltenham concede 2.08 goals per competitive match.
BetBugs · Away Goals TotalwonTottenham U21 over 1.5Estimated chance53%

Head-to-Head

0W · 1D · 0W

D2-2CheltenhamvTottenham Hotspur U21Oct 28, 2025EFL

4 goals/game avg

Recent Form

Cheltenham Town

L0-2Salford CityOct 10LEA

L0-2Accrington STOct 3LEA

W2-1ChesterfieldSep 26LEA

D1-1ColchesterSep 19LEA

W3-1Crawley TownSep 12LEA

D2-2GrimsbySep 5LEA

W3-2YorkSep 1LEA

D2-2BarnetAug 29LEA

L1-2Swindon TownAug 22LEA

W2-1RotherhamAug 15LEA

L1-3CharltonAug 8LEA

L0-2Milton Keynes DonsAug 1FRI

W3-0Evesham UnitedJul 18FRI

L1-4ColchesterMay 2LEA

L0-4Bristol RoversApr 25LEA

Tottenham U21

W4-2Manchester City U21Sep 19PRE

W3-1Dinamo Zagreb U21Sep 15PRE

W3-1Derby County U21Sep 11PRE

L0-2Exeter CitySep 8EFL

D3-3Birmingham City U21Aug 31PRE

W3-1Newcastle United U21Aug 24PRE

L1-3AFC HornchurchJul 25FRI

L1-2Boreham WoodJul 21FRI

L1-3Brighton U21May 8PRE

W3-1Chelsea U21May 1PRE

W1-0Leicester City U21Apr 24PRE

W2-0Blackburn Rovers U21Apr 17PRE

W1-0Wolves U21Apr 10PRE

W3-2West Ham United U21Apr 4PRE

L0-1Leeds United U21Mar 16PRE

Squad & Injuries

Cheltenham Town

24 available

Attackers6

Midfielders9

Defenders6

Goalkeeper3

Tottenham U21

27 available

Attackers7

Midfielders8

Defenders7

Goalkeeper5

Quick Take

Context

BetBugs edges

Under 2.5

No

Under 0.5 goals in 1st half

Draw or Tottenham U21

Draw

Result3 of 5 landed

Goals5 of 8 landed

Head-to-Head

Recent Form

Cheltenham Town

Tottenham U21

Squad & Injuries

Cheltenham Town

Tottenham U21