Football News: Watford Set to Host MK Dons in EFL Cup Clash
In the first round of the EFL Cup, Watford are set to host MK Dons at Vicarage Road on Tuesday. The Hornets, who play in the Championship, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 15th-placed finish last season, while the Dons, who ply their trade in League Two, will be aiming to cause an upset.
Watford Seek Redemption
Watford began their 2024-25 campaign with a 3-2 win against Millwall, but the home side surrendered a two-goal lead and were fortunate to escape with all three points. Boss Tom Cleverley will be hoping for a more convincing performance as they look to progress in the EFL Cup.
MK Dons Aim to Capitalize on Cup History
The visitors, on the other hand, lost 1-0 against Bradford City in their League Two opener. Despite enjoying the majority of possession and passing, the Dons failed to register a single expected goal (xG). Manager Mike Williamson will be keen to see his side bounce back quickly, especially given their narrow miss on automatic promotion last season.
“Watford have a recent record of struggling in the EFL Cup, having lost their last three matches in the competition, including against MK Dons in the 2022-23 season. The Dons will be confident of causing another cup upset, having previously defeated the Hornets 2-0 at Vicarage Road in the second round last year.”
Team News and Prediction
In team news, the hosts could be without Mattie Pollock, who suffered a clash of heads against Millwall, while Mileta Rajovic, Ken Sema and Thomas Ince could all feature. For the visitors, Alex Gilbey, who scored against Bradford, is likely to start, and Matthew Dennis and Tommy Leigh may also be called upon.
Sports Mole’s prediction: Watford 1-1 MK Dons (MK Dons win on penalties)
Despite Watford’s higher league status, the Dons’ recent cup success against the Hornets suggests they have a good chance of causing an upset. With Watford’s poor EFL Cup record in mind, it could well go all the way to penalties, where the visitors may just edge it.
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