After a long six-month break from competitive football, MK Dons and Coventry City meet in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday afternoon at Stadium.MK.
Russell Martin’s side have seen key men Alex Gilbey and Rhys Healey leave in recent weeks, with Pete Winkelman having to reassure fans that replacements will be arriving soon.
On the other hand, Mark Robins welcomed Ben Sheaf to the club earlier today; he believes that he has secured his major targets this transfer window. Coventry City fans are quietly confident about the club’s chances in the Championship this season.
Coventry recorded a famous victory in the FA Cup 4th Round tie between the two in 2018, when they were in a lower division - now that the roles have reversed, will the victor?
When the two sides met in pre-season, the Sky Blues ran out 3-2 winners – will it be another win? Or will MK exact revenge?
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Team News
MK Dons are missing a host of players leading up to Saturday. Warren O’Hora and Daniel Harvie, new signings at Stadium.MK, are both on international duty – they are also joined by Regan Poole representing their countries at Under 21 level.
Another acquisition this summer, Richard Keogh, is yet to return from an injury which marked the end of his Derby County career. Along with Kieran Agard and George Williams, they have missed much of pre-season and won’t feature in this game.
There are question marks over the fitness of Norwich City loanee Louis Thompson. The midfielder was substituted against Arsenal in the side’s 4-1 defeat last month; he has not featured since.
For Coventry, key men from last season Michael Rose and Fankaty Dabo remain out of contention after operations at the end of last season. Although Dabo has since returned to training, he is likely to miss at least the first league game of the season.
New signing Ben Sheaf arrives from Arsenal lacking match fitness, and likely will not feature from the start at Stadium.MK.
Elsewhere, Julien Dacosta has been sidelined with injury since his arrival at the Sky Blues. The Frenchman has picked up a significant injury in training, and joins the long term injury list along with fellow countryman Wesley Jobello.
Youngster Morgan Williams will be touch and go until kick off – there is no news on his lay off thus far. Leo Ostigard is away on Norway Under 21 duty and will not feature.
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Ones to Watch
Despite missing various first team players for this fixture, MK Dons can count on a talent from their youth academy to help them both in this fixture and during the season. David Kasumu, who enjoyed his breakthrough season last term, is another to come through the respected youth system at the club. After signing a new contract last term, the 20-year-old finished with 30 first team appearances and has been given the number 8 shirt. He obviously plays a major part in Russell Martin’s plans and will be hoping that he can continue where he left off in March.
In Coventry’s young side, Robins has a host of attacking options, but Jodi Jones was the standout performer in pre-season. Back to back goals (and fantastic ones at that) have seen the 22-year-old work his way back into first team plans. After two and a half seasons of injury misery, he looks back to his best and will be hoping to prove why Leeds United and others were linked with him back when Coventry were in League Two.
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Previous Meeting
You don’t have to travel too far back in time to see the last time these two sides met; before the draw was made, a pre-season friendly had been agreed and this was played out (Coventry ran out 3-2 winners).
The last competitive game came during Coventry City’s title-winning campaign in League One last season. After a 0-0 draw at Stadium.MK in October 2019, the Dons travelled to St Andrews at the opposite end of the table to their opponents.
With the Sky Blues flying high at the top of the table, the odds were stacked against Russell Martin’s side. These odds were multiplied tenfold when young full back Sam McCallum found the back of the net within the first minute of the match.
However, despite numerous chances to double their lead, the Sky Blues were strangely languid in front of goal and after half time, the tide turned.
Rhys Healey went close for the visitors, before debutant Carlton Morris (on as a substitute) found the back of the net and earnt MK a share of the spoils. The result continued the turnaround in form shown by the club since the arrival of Martin in November 2019.
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Predicted Line Ups
MK Dons: (4-3-2-1) Nicholls (GK); Brittain, Lewington, Cargill, Sorinola; Houghton, Thompson, Boateng; Kasumu, Nombe; Morris
Coventry: (5-2-2-1) Marosi (GK); Burroughs, Drysdale, McFadzean, Hyam, Giles; Kelly, Hamer; Jones, O’Hare; Godden
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How to watch the game
Despite the match being played behind closed doors, fans will be able to watch the tie on iFollow. The match pass is £10 and is available on the club websites.