Carabao Cup: Aribo starts; Iwobi and Bassey on the bench

Joe Aribo is back to Southampton’s line-up in Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup after he was left on the bench for the entire durtation of his club’s 3-0 loss to visiting Manchester United at the Saint Mary’s last weekend in a Premier League matchweek or fixture.

The 28-year-old started his club’s first three Premier League games of the season and will make his 2024/25 debut in the Carabao Cup Tuesday evening after he was not named in the squad that won 5-3 in the second round of the competition in August.

Aribo is starting for the fourth time in seven games in the competition and will be looking to register either his first goal or first assist not only of the season across all competitions but also in the competition since he made his debut in August 2017 as a Charlton Athletic player.

At Deepdale, Alex Iwobi and Calvin are starting on the bench in Fulham’s clash with Preston North End.

Iwobi who has scored four times in the competition in 26 appearances will be hoping he gets subbed on at a stage to increase his total haul to five goals and retain his position as top scorer among Nigerians still in the competition following Kelechi Iheanacho’s departure to Spain.

Iheanacho is the top scoring Nigerian in the history of the competition with 10 goals.

Bassey will also be seeking to come in to help his side and make his fourth appearance in the competition.