Doncaster Rovers look to claim a huge Second Round scalp against Everton at Keepmoat Stadium in 2023-24 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Doncaster reach the Third Round for the first time since 2017-18 season, whilst Everton are seeking to avoid suffering a Second Round exit for the first time in 22 years.
Team News
Doncaster have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-1 loss at MK Dons last weekend.
Tom Anderson (back), Harrison Biggins (groin), Ben Close, Tom Nixon (both unspecified), Liam Ravenhill, Jon Taylor, George Miller (all knee) and Jamie Sterry (toe) are ruled out.
Everton have no fresh injury concerns to report as manager, Sean Dyche prepares to rotate his squad, with Andre Gomes (calf) considered unlikely to feature as the club seek to move him on before the transfer window shuts.
Alex Iwobi (hamstring), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (cheekbone), Jack Harrison, Dele Alli (both hip), Dwight McNeil (ankle) and Seamus Coleman (knee) are also ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Doncaster host Everton at Keepmoat Stadium on Wednesday 30 August in a 8pm BST kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Doncaster’s first League Cup meeting against Everton.
- Everton won their two previous cup meetings against Doncaster in all competitions (W2), albeit in the FA Cup at home without conceding in January 1939 and January 1985 respectively.
- Doncaster are yet to lose at home to Everton in all competitions (W2, D1).
- Doncaster have won just one of their last five League Cup meetings against higher-tier opposition (W1, L4).
- Everton are unbeaten in ten of their last 11 League Cup meetings against lower league opposition – excluding penalties (W9, D1, L1), having last lost to Norwich in September 2016.
Prediction
Currently sat bottom of League One with an injury crisis and leaky defence, Doncaster certainly did well to beat Hull in the opening round because their priorities surely need to now be more on getting out of their shaky league rut after a wasteful performance at MK Dons.
Wasteful chances seem to be the theme of Everton’s start to the season because they just can’t seem to score in the Premier League yet, so this fixture might just be the tonic to ignite their campaign as long as their defence holds up as solid as it was for much of their sloppy defeat to Wolves.
Now if both teams are as wasteful here as they are in their league games, I don’t see this being a particularly entertaining game but Everton’s quality really should make the difference otherwise Dyche’s Toffees are in for a long season.
Prediction: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Everton
