Preview: Bristol City vs MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh from their emphatic victory on the opening weekend of the Championship season, Bristol City will be looking to keep the momentum going when they take on MK Dons in the first round of the EFL Cup this Tuesday night.

The Robins will welcome League Two Dons to Ashton Gate as they set sights on successive wins and a spot in the next round of the cup.

Match preview

Bristol City certainly made a statement in their Championship opener as Gerhard Struber and his men destroyed Sheffield United away at Bramall Lane.

The Robins powered to a 4-1 victory with Scott Twine bagging a memorable double – including a world-class finish from a free kick.

Next on the agenda for Struber’s men is a home clash with MK Dons in the EFL Cup – a match which the hosts are expected to win comfortably.

Since their semi-final run in 2017-18, City have struggled to make an impact in the competition, going out in the first round in four of their last seven seasons.

MK Dons have a similarly poor record in the competition, with the club bowing out in the first round in four of their last five campaigns.

That trend is expected to continue as the League Two side prepare to take on a team who boast a far stronger squad.

The only hope for the Dons stems from their positive start to the league, with Paul Warne’s men picking up four points from their opening two games.

MK Dons kicked off their campaign with a goalless home draw against Oldham but bagged their first win a week later thanks to a 2-0 victory away at Barrow.

Bristol City form (all competitions):

MK Dons form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bristol City are dealing with a host of injuries in this early stage of the season.

Max Bird and Max O’Leary, who are battling calf and ankle injuries, are expected back as early as September. Joe Williams, meanwhile, has almost recovered from his ankle ligament issue and is expected to return in a matter of days.

Cameron Pring and Luke McNally will be out on the sidelines for a longer period of time, with both expected to make their comebacks in October.

MK Dons are also battling with some early season injury problems and have as many as six players out of action.

Dan Crowley, Callum Hendry, Scott Hogan, Laurence Maguire, Sam Sherring and Nathan Thompson are all recovering from various injuries.

Bristol City possible starting lineup: Lumley; Atkinson, Vyner, Tanner; Hirakawa, Randell, Knight, McCrorie; Riis, Twine; Mehmeti

MK Dons possible starting lineup: MacGillivray; Tomlinson, Sanders, Offord, Jones; Gilbey, Kelly, Thompson-Sommers; Mendez-Laing, Paterson, Hepburn-Murphy