MK Dons host Barnet this evening in their Checkatrade Trophy Group F opener at Stadium MK.
The men from MK1, who won the competition back in 2008, will be looking to get their trophy campaign off to a winning start, while also collect their first home success of the new season.
Karl Robinson’s side have won three of their four away fixtures so far in 2016/17 but are yet to taste victory at Stadium MK – they’ll be looking to end that run tonight.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Barnet have made a solid start to the campaign, having picked up six points from their opening five Sky Bet League Two fixtures.
Martin Allen’s side have beaten Accrington Stanley – League Two play-off semi-finalists from last season – while they also held promotion hopefuls Blackpool to a 1-1 draw.
They have lost just twice as well, with their only league defeat coming this past weekend at home to Carlisle United.
Striker John Akinde is the man to watch for the Bees, having netted three times already in 2016/17.
LAST TIME OUT
Set-pieces were MK Dons’ undoing on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 by rivals Peterborough United at Stadium MK.
Posh took the lead after just 90 seconds when Andrew Hughes prodded home Marcus Maddison’s free-kick in front of the Cowshed.
Joe Walsh and Daniel Powell went close to equalising for the Dons after the opener but it was the visitors who would score the crucial second goal – an own goal by George Baldock from another Maddison free-kick.
Barnet were beaten 1-0 by Carlisle United last weekend – their first league defeat of the campaign.
Jabo Ibehre broke the deadlock 21 minutes in by turning home Nicky Adams’ cross.
Adams then hit the crossbar for the visitors before Ibehre missed the chance to double both his and the Cumbrians’ tally in the second half with a header.
Barnet’s best chance of equalising came to Bondz N’Gala, whose close-range shot was blocked while John Akinde score a late shot saved by Mark Gillespie.
TEAM NEWS
Karl Robinson confirmed on Monday that he will field a strong side for tonight’s tie in a bid to secure a first home win.
Competition rules permit that the Dons must field at least five players from the starting XI which began the clash with Peterborough United on Saturday or five out of their top 11 appearance makers so far this season.
Kieran Agard (thigh) and Chuks Aneke (knee) are absent through injury, while George C Williams is away on international duty with Wales.
Barnet boss Martin Allen hinted that there could be a few changes for the Bees’ trip to Milton Keynes in his on Saturday, but is keeping his cards close to his chest.
OFFICIALS
John Brooks will take charge of this evening’s Checkatrade Trophy clash – the first time he will referee a match involving the Dons.
Brooks, a former Premier League linesman, has officiated four games so far in his debut EFL season, booking 23 players and producing one red card.
His assistant referees are Alix Pashley and Kevin Morris, while the fourth official is Andy Hendley.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 4
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 0
Last Dons win: 3-1, 3 Dec 2011 (Underhill)
Barnet wins: 1
Barnet wins at Stadium MK: 1
Last Barnet win: 1-0, 12 Jan 2008 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 1
Draws at Stadium MK: 0
Last draw: 3-3, 30 Sep 2006 (Underhill)
SKY BET ODDS
Result after 90 minutes
Dons win: 4/5
Draw: 5/2
Barnet win: 16/5
First Dons goalscorer
Nicky Maynard: 5/2
Dean Bowditch: 5/2
Daniel Powell: 3/1
Kabongo Tshimanga: 3/1
Giorgio Rasulo: 100/30
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Click here for more betting options for tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy fixture - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet!
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY
Tonight
Bolton Wanderers v Everton, KO 7pm
Bury v Morecambe, KO 7pm
Gillingham v Luton Town, KO 7.30pm
Peterborough v Norwich City, KO 7.30pm
Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra, KO 7.45pm
AFC Wimbledon v Swansea City, KO 7.45pm
Blackpool v Cheltenham Town, KO 7.45pm
Bradford City v Stoke City, KO 7.45pm
Bristol Rovers v Reading, KO 7.45pm
Charlton Athletic v Southampton, KO 7.45pm
Chesterfield v Wolverhampton Wanderers, KO 7.45pm
Coventry City v West Ham United, KO 7.45pm
Crawley Town v Colchester United, KO 7.45pm
Fleetwood Town v Blackburn Rovers, KO 7.45pm
Leyton Orient v Stevenage, KO 7.45pm
Mansfield Town v Doncaster Rovers, KO 7.45pm
Millwall v West Bromwich Albion, KO 7.45pm
Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers, KO 7.45pm
Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United, KO 7.45pm
Oxford United v Exeter City, KO 7.45pm
Plymouth Argyle v Newport County, KO 7.45pm
Port Vale v Derby County, KO 7.45pm
Scunthorpe United v Middlesbrough, KO 7.45pm
Sheffield Utd v Leicester City, KO 7.45pm
Shrewsbury Town v Cambridge United, KO 7.45pm
Southend v Brighton and Hove Albion, KO 7.45pm
Walsall v Grimsby Town, KO 7.45pm
Yeovil Town v Portsmouth, KO 7.45pm
Wednesday
Notts County v Hartlepool United, KO 7.45pm
MATCH COVERAGE
Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 7.40pm for live commentary – click here to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month!
Fans can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s matchday blog, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 5pm on Wednesday.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
Tickets for tonight's Checkatrade Trophy tie with Barnet are priced from £10 adults and £1 under-18s.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
Karl Robinson’s side have won three of their four away fixtures so far in 2016/17 but are yet to taste victory at Stadium MK – they’ll be looking to end that run tonight.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Barnet have made a solid start to the campaign, having picked up six points from their opening five Sky Bet League Two fixtures.
Martin Allen’s side have beaten Accrington Stanley – League Two play-off semi-finalists from last season – while they also held promotion hopefuls Blackpool to a 1-1 draw.
They have lost just twice as well, with their only league defeat coming this past weekend at home to Carlisle United.
Striker John Akinde is the man to watch for the Bees, having netted three times already in 2016/17.
LAST TIME OUT
Set-pieces were MK Dons’ undoing on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 by rivals Peterborough United at Stadium MK.
Posh took the lead after just 90 seconds when Andrew Hughes prodded home Marcus Maddison’s free-kick in front of the Cowshed.
Joe Walsh and Daniel Powell went close to equalising for the Dons after the opener but it was the visitors who would score the crucial second goal – an own goal by George Baldock from another Maddison free-kick.
Barnet were beaten 1-0 by Carlisle United last weekend – their first league defeat of the campaign.
Jabo Ibehre broke the deadlock 21 minutes in by turning home Nicky Adams’ cross.
Adams then hit the crossbar for the visitors before Ibehre missed the chance to double both his and the Cumbrians’ tally in the second half with a header.
Barnet’s best chance of equalising came to Bondz N’Gala, whose close-range shot was blocked while John Akinde score a late shot saved by Mark Gillespie.
TEAM NEWS
Karl Robinson confirmed on Monday that he will field a strong side for tonight’s tie in a bid to secure a first home win.
Competition rules permit that the Dons must field at least five players from the starting XI which began the clash with Peterborough United on Saturday or five out of their top 11 appearance makers so far this season.
Kieran Agard (thigh) and Chuks Aneke (knee) are absent through injury, while George C Williams is away on international duty with Wales.
Barnet boss Martin Allen hinted that there could be a few changes for the Bees’ trip to Milton Keynes in his on Saturday, but is keeping his cards close to his chest.
OFFICIALS
John Brooks will take charge of this evening’s Checkatrade Trophy clash – the first time he will referee a match involving the Dons.
Brooks, a former Premier League linesman, has officiated four games so far in his debut EFL season, booking 23 players and producing one red card.
His assistant referees are Alix Pashley and Kevin Morris, while the fourth official is Andy Hendley.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 4
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 0
Last Dons win: 3-1, 3 Dec 2011 (Underhill)
Barnet wins: 1
Barnet wins at Stadium MK: 1
Last Barnet win: 1-0, 12 Jan 2008 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 1
Draws at Stadium MK: 0
Last draw: 3-3, 30 Sep 2006 (Underhill)
SKY BET ODDS
Result after 90 minutes
Dons win: 4/5
Draw: 5/2
Barnet win: 16/5
First Dons goalscorer
Nicky Maynard: 5/2
Dean Bowditch: 5/2
Daniel Powell: 3/1
Kabongo Tshimanga: 3/1
Giorgio Rasulo: 100/30
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Click here for more betting options for tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy fixture - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet!
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY
Tonight
Bolton Wanderers v Everton, KO 7pm
Bury v Morecambe, KO 7pm
Gillingham v Luton Town, KO 7.30pm
Peterborough v Norwich City, KO 7.30pm
Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra, KO 7.45pm
AFC Wimbledon v Swansea City, KO 7.45pm
Blackpool v Cheltenham Town, KO 7.45pm
Bradford City v Stoke City, KO 7.45pm
Bristol Rovers v Reading, KO 7.45pm
Charlton Athletic v Southampton, KO 7.45pm
Chesterfield v Wolverhampton Wanderers, KO 7.45pm
Coventry City v West Ham United, KO 7.45pm
Crawley Town v Colchester United, KO 7.45pm
Fleetwood Town v Blackburn Rovers, KO 7.45pm
Leyton Orient v Stevenage, KO 7.45pm
Mansfield Town v Doncaster Rovers, KO 7.45pm
Millwall v West Bromwich Albion, KO 7.45pm
Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers, KO 7.45pm
Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United, KO 7.45pm
Oxford United v Exeter City, KO 7.45pm
Plymouth Argyle v Newport County, KO 7.45pm
Port Vale v Derby County, KO 7.45pm
Scunthorpe United v Middlesbrough, KO 7.45pm
Sheffield Utd v Leicester City, KO 7.45pm
Shrewsbury Town v Cambridge United, KO 7.45pm
Southend v Brighton and Hove Albion, KO 7.45pm
Walsall v Grimsby Town, KO 7.45pm
Yeovil Town v Portsmouth, KO 7.45pm
Wednesday
Notts County v Hartlepool United, KO 7.45pm
MATCH COVERAGE
Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 7.40pm for live commentary – click here to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month!
Fans can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s matchday blog, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 5pm on Wednesday.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
Tickets for tonight's Checkatrade Trophy tie with Barnet are priced from £10 adults and £1 under-18s.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
