Watford v Darlington

Darlington start the first of three away games in a row tonight with a trip to Championship side Watford in the second round of the League Cup. Quakers knocked out Walsall in the previous round to set up the trip and will be hopeful of causing another upset. Once again however Quakers find themselves draw away from home in the cup.

The game at Vicarage Road is Darlington's sixth League Cup tie in a row on opposition soil. Despite this the club has performed commendably, albeit without setting the world alight and progressing beyond this stage. Two seasons ago Darlington knocked out Stoke City and took reading all the way to penalties at this stage of the competition. Meanwhile a decent performance against Barnsley was the end product last season as the eventual FA Cup semi-finalists squeezed past in a somewhat unconvincing manner.

Aidy Boothroyd's Watford side have endured a mixed start to the season. An opening day draw at Crystal Palace has made way for a win over Charlton and a defeat at Nottingham Forest. The Hornets appear set to blood some young talent for this game. Youngsters like Will Hoskins and Lewis could be involved in this clash.

With their schedule in mind Quakers may too ring a few changes for this game. Whilst manager Dave Penney is keen to progress he could hand starts to some of the players on the edge of his side for this match. This could mean a start for new signing Franz Burgmeier. The Liechtenstein winger looked impressive when coming off the bench and may figure from the start.

"I'll be treating it exactly the same as the Walsall game, but people on the fringes of the side are desperate for a game," he said in the Northern Echo. "People like Ryan Valentine, Robin Hulbert and Franz Burgmeier all want to start. We'll check on Franz today and see how he is. We might use Tuesday's match to give people games and to help give them some fitness too."

Darlington's game at Watford tonight kick-offs at 7.45pm.