Preview: MK Dons vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

MK Dons will attempt to get back to winning ways when they welcome Newport County to Stadium MK in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening.

The hosts come into this one following a defeat to Barnsley, while the visitors make the trip across the border fresh from a victory over Gillingham.

Match preview

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MK Dons come into this match in need of some momentum due to going three matches without a victory in League One under Liam Manning, which has left them in the relegation zone.

In their last outing, the Dons were on the receiving end of a 3-1 loss to Barnsley courtesy of goals from Herbie Kane, Adam Phillips and Jordan Williams which cancelled out a Mo Eisa reply.

Nevertheless, they managed to top Southern Group C in the EFL Trophy with six points from three matches overcoming Cheltenham Town, West Ham United Under-21s and Walsall in the table.

Victories over West Ham U21s and Walsall were enough to secure a place in the knockout phase on goal difference, while their only defeat in the group came to Cheltenham Town on matchday one.

MK Dons manager Manning will be hoping for a swift response to their recent demise on cup duty this Tuesday as they look to go deep into the competition of which they were one-time winners in 2007-08.

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Newport travel across the border looking to spring an upset and book their place in the next round following a strong group-stage performance in the EFL Trophy.

They achieved a credible finish in Southern Group F, accumulating six points from three matches in a group containing Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City and Southampton Under-21s.

Two wins against Exeter and Southampton U21s were enough to bank a place in the second round of the tournament, with their only loss in the group occurring at home to Forest Green on matchday two.

Building an extensive cup run could be of interest to the Exiles in light of their position in League Two, where they sit in 18th, owing to an indifferent start to their league season.

Though they face a tough task playing a side that are one division higher in the English pyramid, Graham Coughlan will fancy his chances of springing a shock.

Team News

MK Dons may look to give several fringe players some minutes in their EFL Trophy tie against Newport on Tuesday evening.

Striker Will Grigg could be offered an opportunity to impress in attack in place of Mo Eisa, while Irishman Dawson Devoy is likely to be given some minutes in midfield.

Goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli will hope to be selected ahead of Jamie Cumming between the sticks, while Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry may be rested in favour of Darragh Burns on the flank.

Ethan Robson is in danger of picking up a suspension should he be booked during the clash.

For Newport, defender Priestley Farquharson is expected to start in light of his goalscoring exploits last weekend against Gillingham in League Two.

Nick Townsend could be selected to play in goal at Stadium MK, while Offrande Zanzala may be preferred to Omar Bogle as the man to lead the line.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh is in danger of being suspended should he pick up a yellow card within proceedings.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Ravizzoli; O'Hora, Lewington, Jules; Watson, McEachran, Devoy, Lawrence; Burns, Grigg, Holland

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Townsend; Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou; Norman, Moriah-Welsh, Bennett, Waite, Lewis; Zanzala, Evans

We say: MK Dons 2-1 Newport County

In a match that will be an intriguing watch, we expect both sides to create plenty of opportunities as they look to book their place in the next round of the EFL Trophy.

Nevertheless, MK Dons will narrowly prevail and give their fans some respite from their recent poor form.

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