In the first round of the EFL Cup, Watford are set to host MK Dons at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.

The home side began their 2024-25 season in the Championship with a 3-2 win against Millwall on August 10, while the visitors lost against Bradford City on the same day in the first game of their League Two campaign.

Match preview

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The hosts surrendered a two-goal lead against Millwall last Saturday when they conceded an 88th-minute equaliser, though Mileta Rajovic's 90th-minute winner was enough to rescue all three points for Watford.

The Hornets can perhaps count themselves fortunate to have escaped with any points considering they only produced 10 shots and two big chances, whereas Millwall had 16 attempts and seven big chances.

Of particular concern will be the fact that their opponents had 12 shots inside their penalty area and even hit the woodwork twice.

The result left the hosts in fifth place on Saturday, and boss Tom Cleverley will be hoping to better last season's disappointing 15th-placed finish.

Watford were eliminated from the 2023-24 iteration of the EFL Cup after they lost on penalties in the first round against Stevenage on August 8, 2023.

In fact, the Hornets have lost their last three matches in the competition, including against MK Dons in 2022-23.

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The visitors' loss against Bradford City was a fairly dull affair, with just three big chances produced between the sides.

Though they had 68% possession and attempted 407 more passes than Bradford, the Dons failed to register even one xG.

Boss Mike Williamson will be aware that dropping points so early in the season could be costly, especially given his side finished eight points behind Mansfield Town in third place last term, which is League Two's final automatic promotion spot.

The Dons were knocked out in the first round of the EFL Cup last campaign after they lost 2-0 against Wycombe Wanderers on August 8, 2023.

The visitors previously beat Watford 2-0 in the competition's second round in the 2022-23 season at Vicarage Road on August 23, 2023, and even made it as far as the fourth round before losing 3-0 against Leicester City in December 2022.

Team News

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The hosts could rest Mattie Pollock, who came away bloodied after a clash of heads against Millwall.

Watford could reward substitute Mileta Rajovic with a start on Tuesday, while Ken Sema and Thomas Ince could also feature.

As for the visitors, they could start Alex Gilbey after he scored against Bradford.

Elsewhere, the Dons could line up with some of the substitutes who came on last time out, so expect the likes of Matthew Dennis and Tommy Leigh to come into the XI.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bond; Porteous, Sierralta, Morris; Andrews, Sissoko, Dele-Bashiru, Larouci; Sema, Rajovic, Ince

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Harness; Sherring, Tucker, Lewington; Tripp, Kelly, Offord, Tomlinson; Leigh, Dennis, Gilbey

We say: Watford 1-1 MK Dons (MK Dons win on penalties)

Although Watford are two divisions higher than their opponents, the Dons do have a favourable record in recent matches against the Hornets.

Additionally, considering the home side have lost their last three games in the EFL Cup, it is reasonable to assume they could struggle again on Tuesday.


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