A look ahead to MK Dons’ Carabao Cup clash with Wycombe Wanderers

MK DonsandWycombe Wanderersmay be a division apart now but they cross paths once again this season in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.

Certainly no strangers to one another, theBuckinghamshirerivals have crossed paths 18 times down the years but never in the League Cup. Dons have won half of those 18 meetings, with the Chairboys taking five wins.

Now plying their trades in different divisions, the sides could not have opened their campaigns in a more contrasting manner. Dons hit five past newly promotedWrexhamon Saturday at the Racecourse Ground in a 5-3 win to get theirLeague Twoseason up and running, while Wycombe were thumped 3-0 athomeby Exeter City.

Dons are still waiting for the return of Dean Lewington, Conor Grant and Matt Dennis to fitness, having missed much of the pre-season campaign as a result of injuries.

Matt Bloomfield’s side are suffering no new injury concerns, and could see Richard Keogh make a return to Stadium MK having played there in 2020/21 before moving to Huddersfield Town.

The Carabao Cup, in its various guises, has given MK Dons plenty of great memories down the years. The competition has seen Dons take on the likes of Premier League sides Liverpool and Leicester City at Stadium MK, saw Dons beat Watford at Vicarage Road last season andarguably their most famous night - the 4-0 win over Manchester United.

Referee James Bell will take charge of the game - officiating Dons for the first time. Taking charge of his first game of the season, Bell took chargeof 17 matches last term, booking 58 and sending off three. Ian Cooper and Matthew Smith will run the lines with Fourth Official Rob Smith.

Bookmakers have Dons at 21/10 to win the game, with Wycombe at 11/8, and the draw after 90 minutes 11/5. Should it finish all square, the game will go straight to penalties.