MK Dons begin their EFL Cup journey this evening when they take on Newport County at Rodney Parade.
Karl Robinson’s men travel to South Wales looking to build on their opening-day success over Shrewsbury Town, although the Liverpudlian’s side will look vastly different to one that triumphed at Greenhous Meadow as he expected to name a relatively youthful and inexperienced starting XI.
The Dons do have a terrific record in the opening round of the EFL Cup, having progressed through to Round Two in each of the past seven seasons – in the Club’s history, they have never lost an away EFL Cup first-round tie.
THE OPPOSITION
Newport started their 2016/17 campaign with a 3-2 defeat at home to Mansfield Town, so the Welsh outfit will be eager to bounce back in tonight’s clash.
County’s line-up on Saturday included 10 summer signings, as Warren Feeney looks to improve on the club’s 22nd-placed finish in Sky Bet League Two last season.
Joss Labadie, Ben Tozer and Jon Parkin are among those who have been brought in at Rodney Parade, as well as former Don Mark Randall, who could face his former club this evening.
LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons got their League One season off to a winning start courtesy of a thoroughly-professional 1-0 over Shrewsbury.
Robinson’s side dominated the first-half in terms of possession but they did have Joe Walsh to thank for keeping the scores goalless after he denied AJ Leitch-Smith with a terrific goal-saving tackle.
After the break, Darren Potter headed against the crossbar before Daniel Powell won the game with a fierce effort following some good work by Ed Upson in the box.
The Dons do have a terrific record in the opening round of the EFL Cup, having progressed through to Round Two in each of the past seven seasons – in the Club’s history, they have never lost an away EFL Cup first-round tie.
THE OPPOSITION
Newport started their 2016/17 campaign with a 3-2 defeat at home to Mansfield Town, so the Welsh outfit will be eager to bounce back in tonight’s clash.
County’s line-up on Saturday included 10 summer signings, as Warren Feeney looks to improve on the club’s 22nd-placed finish in Sky Bet League Two last season.
Joss Labadie, Ben Tozer and Jon Parkin are among those who have been brought in at Rodney Parade, as well as former Don Mark Randall, who could face his former club this evening.
LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons got their League One season off to a winning start courtesy of a thoroughly-professional 1-0 over Shrewsbury.
Robinson’s side dominated the first-half in terms of possession but they did have Joe Walsh to thank for keeping the scores goalless after he denied AJ Leitch-Smith with a terrific goal-saving tackle.
After the break, Darren Potter headed against the crossbar before Daniel Powell won the game with a fierce effort following some good work by Ed Upson in the box.
In the second-half, Danny Rose restored the Stags’ lead before Joss Labadie equalised with a tap-in. However, Kevan Hurst won the game for Mansfield with a curling 20-yard effort three minutes into stoppage-time.
Matt Green gave the vistors an early lead with a header but Jack Compton levelled things up just six minutes later from a free-kick.
Newport were beaten by the odd goal in five in an entertaining opening league clash with Mansfield at Rodney Parade.
“It’s going to be a tough game. We’re going there to win but, no doubt, they’ll want to beat us as well. Every team wants momentum and in these competitions, if you get a win, it builds momentum."
George B Williams: “These competitions are brilliant for players to get some minutes or for the team to progress and get a big team. We’re all really looking forward to it.
FIGHTING TALK
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
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 Tuesday.
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MATCH COVERAGE
for more betting options for Tuesday’s EFL Cup action – don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Connor Furlong: 10/1
Brandon Thomas-Asante: 5/1
Kabongo Tshimanga: 4/1
Giorgio Rasulo: 4/1
First Dons goalscorer
Shrewsbury win: 11/10
Draw: 12/5
Dons win: 12/5
Result
SKY BET ODDS
No previous meetings.
HEAD TO HEAD
Langford’s two assistants are Mark Russell and Steven Meredith, while the fourth official is Adam Nunn.
The West Midlands ref officiated the Championship clash between Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United, in which he showed three yellow cards.
Oliver Langford will be the man in charge this evening, refereeing his first Dons fixture since December last year.
REFEREE
There will be several first-team players on the bench, such as Saturday’s goalscorer Daniel Powell, midfielder Ed Upson and winger George C Williams. On a positive note, Dean Bowditch is set to feature in the matchday squad after recovering from a calf injury sustained in pre-season.
Nicholls; GB Williams, Wootton, Jackson, Tilney; Kasumu, Osei-Bonsu; Furlong, Rasulo, Thomas-Asante; Tshimanga. MK Dons starting XI to face Newport County:
New signings Lee Nicholls and Scott Wootton both start, as does returning defender George B Williams, but the rest of the XI is made up of young professionals and scholars, including 16-year-old David Kasumu.
Karl Robinson has confirmed his starting XI well in advance of kick-off and it’s a predominantly young and inexperienced line-up.
TEAM NEWS
Tickets for tonight's EFL Cup tie at Newport County can be bought at Rodney Parade - they are priced at £12 adults, £8 over-60s/under-21s/students and £5 under-16s, while under-6s go FREE.
