Southampton to face Colchester United in Carabao Cup

Southampton travel to Colchester United for a Carabao Cup first‑round match on Saturday, 8 August 2026, with kickoff at 5:30 pm at the JobServe Community Stadium. The game will be televised and marks the first competitive fixture of the season for both clubs.

Manager Tonda Eckert, who is rebuilding the Saints after a four‑point deduction, is expected to field a strong side to assess his squad ahead of the Championship campaign. Southampton have scored in all five of their preseason games, while Colchester United have struggled to win at home despite scoring in recent fixtures. Attendance is projected at around 1,500 away fans, with total crowd estimates of up to 6,000, far above the club’s usual figures.

The tie offers both teams a chance to gauge form and finalize selections before the league season begins.