Notts County Hosts Nottingham Forest U21 in EFL Trophy

Notts County welcomes Nottingham Forest U21 to Meadow Lane in Nottingham for an EFL Trophy group-stage match scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. According to previews published by GOAL and VAVEL, the local fixture carries significance for both teams as they seek to strengthen their positions in Northern Group F and improve their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

Notts County entered the match at the top of the four-team group with three points after beating Grimsby Town 2-1 in September. Nottingham Forest U21 occupied third place with two points following a 1-1 draw against Burton Albion, which the academy side won on penalties, according to the published standings.

Burton Albion also had three points but ranked second on goal difference, while Grimsby Town sat fourth with one point. The standings reported by GOAL and VAVEL showed that Notts County had scored two goals and conceded one, compared with Forest U21's one goal scored and one conceded in their opening group fixture.

Notts County approached the contest after an inconsistent run of results. GOAL reported that the club had lost three of its previous four matches across competitions, including a 1-2 defeat to Oxford United in its most recent outing. The Magpies' only win during that stretch came against Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy.

Across their previous five matches, Notts County recorded one win, one draw and three defeats, scoring six goals and conceding five, according to GOAL. VAVEL listed the sequence as LWLLD, reflecting the team's recent difficulties ahead of the meeting with its local rival.

Nottingham Forest U21 arrived in stronger recent form, having won four of its previous five matches, according to GOAL. Results included a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion Academy and a 2-1 win against Manchester City Academy in the Premier Reserve League 1.

The academy team's five-match record also included a 1-1 draw with Burton Albion in the EFL Trophy, followed by a penalty shootout victory, and a 5-1 defeat to Sunderland Academy. GOAL reported that Forest U21 scored eight goals and conceded nine across those five fixtures, while VAVEL listed its recent sequence as WLDWW.

Neither club had confirmed its team lineup before kickoff, according to GOAL. The preview also reported that no injury or suspension details had been announced for either side at that stage.

The October 13 EFL Trophy schedule also included Oldham Athletic against Leeds United U21 in Northern Group G, Cheltenham Town against Tottenham Hotspur U21 in Southern Group A, Walsall against Fulham U21 in Southern Group B, Reading against Chelsea U21 in Southern Group C, and Gillingham against Brighton & Hove Albion U21 in Southern Group G, according to VAVEL.