Match Preview for Tottenham v Doncaster
Premier League heavyweights Tottenham host League One side Doncaster Rovers in Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round tie in North London.
Spurs enter the competition at this stage due to their European involvement, while Doncaster have already earned impressive away victories over Middlesbrough and Accrington Stanley to reach this point.
Tottenham’s last taste of domestic silverware came back in 2008 when Jonathan Woodgate’s extra-time goal secured the League Cup.
Since then, they’ve reached three finals – 2009, 2015, and 2021- without success, and were edged out by Liverpool in last season’s semi-finals.
Early exits are nothing new either; Spurs were dumped out at this stage by Nottingham Forest in 2022-23 and memorably stunned by Colchester United on penalties in 2019–20.
Still, Thomas Frank’s side arrive in far stronger shape, having picked up four wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
At the weekend, Tottenham showed that strength by fighting back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Brighton, while Doncaster crumbled in similar circumstances. Leading 1-0 at Wimbledon, they conceded twice in the second half to fall to a 2-1 defeat.
Grant McCann’s team had previously enjoyed a five-game winning run, which included a stunning 4-0 demolition of Middlesbrough in the first round and a 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley.
But back-to-back league defeats against Wigan and Wimbledon have pushed them out of the play-off spots.
Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “We’re playing against a top, top team and a top manager. Looking at their team that didn’t play against Brighton every single one of them are internationals.
“It’s going to be an almighty task. Nobody in the country will give us any hope of going there and doing anything. There’s no pressure at all on us and hopefully we play our game and see how it goes.
Team news for Tottenham v Doncaster
Tottenham’s injury situation remains unchanged, with James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Kota Takai (foot), Yves Bissouma (knock) and Dominic Solanke (ankle) all unavailable.
However, Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies should return after minor issues.
Thomas Frank is expected to rotate heavily, giving opportunities to the likes of Antonin Kinsky, Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel, and possibly Dane Scarlett. Academy talents Callum Olusesi and 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett – who hit a hat-trick for the U21s against Leicester last week – could also feature.
One youngster who won’t be involved is Damola Ajayi, currently on loan at Doncaster, as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
For the visitors, Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson are set to support veteran striker Billy Sharp in attack.
Midfielder Harry Clifton is ruled out after sustaining a hamstring tear against Wigan, with McCann confirming he faces around six weeks on the sidelines.
Expected line-ups for Tottenham v Doncaster
Tottenham: Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Gray, Simons; Johnson, Tel, Odobert
Doncaster: Lawlor; Sterry, McGrath, Pearson, Maxwell; Bailey, Close; Molyneux, Crew, Gibson; Sharp
How to watch Tottenham v Doncaster: TV channel, online stream
The clash between Tottenham and Doncaster will kick-off at 7:45pm on Wednesday night and is available to watch on Sky Sports+.
The stats for Tottenham v Doncaster
- Tottenham last won the EFL Cup in 2008 and have lost three finals since
- Spurs were eliminated at the third-round stage in both 2019–20 (Colchester) and 2022–23 (Nottingham Forest)
- Doncaster have lost their last four EFL Cup third-round ties
- Spurs are unbeaten in four of their last six matches in all competitions
- Doncaster conceded seven goals in their last four fixtures after three straight clean sheets
- The sides last met in this competition in 2009, with Tottenham running out 5-1 winners
Prediction
With a lack of academy players ready to step up, Frank will likely select a side full of first-team regulars and fringe stars, giving Spurs both quality and depth on the pitch.
Doncaster’s earlier cup wins were impressive, but their defensive frailties suggest this trip to North London will prove too great a challenge.
Prediction: Tottenham 4-0 Doncaster
