Gillingham vs Cambridge Utd Prediction & Betting Tips (22 September)

Gillingham host Cambridge United at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday 22 September 2026 (7:00pm kick-off) in an EFL Trophy Southern Group G clash between two sides now competing in League One. Both teams will field much-changed squads for this group-stage tie, and with each outfit still searching for consistency early in the 2026/27 campaign, this fixture offers a valuable opportunity to build momentum and take control of the group.

Gillingham arrive in mixed to poor form, having suffered a narrow 1-0 league defeat at Chesterfield on 1 September 1-0, a heavy 1-5 home loss to MK Dons, a 1-1 draw with Fleetwood and a 3-0 home defeat to Oldham, with their only recent win a 1-0 success at Barrow. Their cup form has been no better, crashing out of the Carabao Cup first round with a 3-0 home loss to Luton Town in August 0-3. Gareth Ainsworth's men for 2026/27 are built around goalkeeper Glenn Morris, defenders Andrew Smith, Travis Akomeah and Max Clark, midfielders Aaron Rowe, Nelson Khumbeni, Harry Waldock and Jonathan Williams, and forwards Seb Palmer-Houlden, Ronan Hale and the experienced Sam Vokes.

Cambridge United, meanwhile, come into the tie in far better shape. Neil Harris's side bounced back from a 2-2 draw at Burton to claim an impressive 2-1 home win over Reading on 12 September, sealed by second-half headers from Kelland Watts and Liam Bennett 2-1. Their only recent setback was a narrow 1-0 Carabao Cup second-round exit at home to Millwall 0-1. The U's 2026/27 squad features Jake Eastwood in goal, a back three of James Gibbons, Mamadou Jobe and Kelland Watts, wing-backs Liam Bennett and James Brophy, midfielders Dominic Ball and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, and an attacking unit led by Sullay Kaikai, Ben Knight, Louis Appéré and Gassan Ahadme.

In the European odds, Cambridge United are slight favourites to win the tie at around 2.30, with the draw priced near 3.30 and a Gillingham home win close to 2.90 — a market that reflects the U's superior league form against the Gills' struggles. Gillingham's leaky defence has conceded heavily in recent weeks, while Cambridge have shown far greater cutting edge going forward, and with greater depth in the final third the visitors look well placed to edge a competitive contest. Our prediction: Gillingham 1-2 Cambridge Uni