Tottenham Hotspur will aim to kick off their EFL Cup campaign with a win over Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday.
North London will stage a classic EFL Cup third-round clash on Wednesday night, as Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur host League One side Doncaster Rovers. While Spurs enter the competition at this stage thanks to their European commitments, their visitors have already fought their way past Middlesbrough and Accrington Stanley with eye-catching away victories.
Tottenham remain starved of domestic success, their last triumph in English football coming in this very competition back in 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate’s extra-time header delivered League Cup glory. Since then, the Lilywhites have contested three EFL Cup finals, in 2009, 2015, and 2021, falling short on each occasion, and they also endured semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool last season.
Third-round upsets have haunted Spurs in the past, most notably in 2019/20 when they were stunned by Colchester United on penalties, while Nottingham Forest sent them packing at the same stage in 2022/23. Still, under new boss Thomas Frank, Spurs are showing signs of renewed resilience.
The Europa League champions have won four of their last six matches in all competitions and demonstrated character in their most recent Premier League outing, fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Frank will see this competition as an ideal chance to blood squad players while keeping alive realistic hopes of silverware, and Spurs enter the tie as overwhelming favourites to progress.
For Doncaster Rovers, this fixture is both a reward for their cup heroics and a daunting test of their current level. Grant McCann’s side made headlines in August by dismantling Middlesbrough 4-0 at the Riverside in round one before dispatching Accrington Stanley 2-0 to book their ticket to North London.
Their League One form, however, has wobbled in recent weeks. After putting together five straight wins across all competitions, the Rovers have now suffered back-to-back defeats to Wigan Athletic and AFC Wimbledon. Against the latter, they threw away a 1-0 lead and conceded twice in the second half to lose 2-1, a setback that dropped them out of the playoff places, albeit only on goal difference.
Defensive frailties have crept back into McCann’s side, with seven goals conceded in their last four matches after a run of three consecutive clean sheets. That lack of solidity will be a major concern heading into a tie against one of the Premier League’s more potent attacking sides.
To make matters worse, history does not favour the visitors: Doncaster have lost their last four EFL Cup third-round matches, and their last deep run in the competition came in 2005/06 when they reached the quarter-finals. Their most recent EFL Cup clash with Spurs ended in a bruising 5-1 defeat back in 2009/10.
The gulf between the two sides is vast, but cup competitions thrive on upsets, and Doncaster will hope to channel the spirit that brought them a famous victory at Middlesbrough earlier this season. Tottenham, however, have quality, depth, and home advantage on their side, making them overwhelming favourites to avoid any repeat of past early exits. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s injury situation remains largely unchanged heading into this EFL Cup clash. James Maddison and Radu Dragusin are both long-term absentees after suffering ACL injuries, while Dejan Kulusevski is unavailable due to a knee problem. Young defender Kota Takai is ruled out with a foot issue, and Yves Bissouma will also miss the tie as he continues to nurse a knock.
In addition, striker Dominic Solanke remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies are both still recovering from a dead leg and a knee twist, respectively, and are unlikely to be risked. Despite these absentees, Thomas Frank has ample resources to rotate his squad and is expected to do so heavily.
Antonin Kinsky is in line to start between the posts, while Djed Spence could slot in at right-back. In central defence, Kevin Danso should be partnered by Micky van de Ven, with Destiny Udogie operating at left-back. The midfield three could feature Pape Matar Sarr, with teenager Archie Gray given a chance to impress alongside midfielder Xavi Simons, adding youthful energy and creativity.
Up front, Frank is likely to deploy a rotated but dangerous attacking trio. Brennan Johnson should occupy the right-wing role, while Mathys Tel will provide pace and directness on the left flank. At centre-forward, academy product Dane Scarlett is expected to spearhead the attack, given the chance to impress in front of the Tottenham faithful.
Exciting prospects such as Callum Olusesi and 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett, fresh from a hat-trick for the Under-21s against Leicester City, could also feature from the bench as Frank looks to blend experience with youth.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Matar Sarr, Gray, Simons; Johnson, Scarlett, Tel
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers will have an interesting subplot to contend with as 19-year-old winger Damola Ajayi, on loan from Tottenham, has been granted special permission to feature against his parent club.
Ajayi, however, was only used as a substitute in the recent defeat to Wimbledon, and Grant McCann is more likely to rely on the experienced pairing of Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson in advanced roles to support veteran striker Billy Sharp. The 39-year-old forward remains the focal point of Doncaster’s attack, bringing invaluable nous and composure in front of goal.
On the injury front, Harry Clifton is unavailable after sustaining a hamstring tear during the loss to Wigan Athletic, with the midfielder expected to miss at least six weeks of action. Right-back Jamie Sterry has been struggling with a back problem but is anticipated to recover in time to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Other than these concerns, McCann has a largely fit squad to choose from.
Tactically, Doncaster Rovers are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Tottenham. Ian Lawlor will start as the goalkeeper, shielded by Jamie Sterry at right-back, Jay McGrath and Matty Pearson as the central defensive pairing, and James Maxwell at left-back. The double pivot in midfield should feature Owen Bailey alongside Ben Close, tasked with breaking up Tottenham’s play and maintaining compactness.
Ahead of them, Luke Molyneux will likely operate from the right, academy talent Charlie Crew through the middle as the attacking midfielder, and Jordan Gibson on the left wing. Up front, Billy Sharp will lead the line as the lone striker, using his experience to unsettle Spurs’ rotated back four.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lawlor; Sterry, McGrath, Pearson, Maxwell; Bailey, Close; Molyneux, Crew, Gibson; Sharp
Key Stats
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Tottenham Hotspur’s most recent domestic silverware came in this competition back in 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate’s extra-time goal sealed victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Spurs have since reached three more finals but failed to lift the trophy.
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The clubs last met in the EFL Cup during the 2009/10 season, when Tottenham recorded a resounding 5-1 win over Doncaster in the second round.
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Doncaster Rovers have failed to progress beyond the third round in each of their last four EFL Cup appearances at this stage. Their last deep run came in 2005/06, when they reached the quarter-finals.
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Despite their stature, Tottenham have suffered shock EFL Cup exits in recent memory. They lost on penalties to Colchester United in the 2019/20 third round and were eliminated by Nottingham Forest at the same stage in 2022/23.
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Thomas Frank’s Spurs have won four of their last six matches in all competitions, showing resilience with a comeback draw against Brighton at the weekend. Doncaster Rovers, meanwhile, head into this tie on the back of consecutive League One defeats, conceding five goals across those games after a five-match winning streak.
Player to Watch
Mathys Tel
Still only 20 years old, Mathys Tel is one of the brightest young talents in Tottenham’s squad and Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash could provide the perfect stage for him to shine. Having arrived with a reputation for versatility and raw attacking flair, the French forward is capable of playing across the front line but is at his most dangerous when cutting in from wide areas with pace and direct dribbling.
Tel’s explosive acceleration allows him to stretch defences and isolate full-backs in one-on-one situations, while his sharp shooting ability makes him a threat both inside and outside the penalty area. With Thomas Frank expected to rotate his side heavily, Tel should be handed a rare start, giving him the chance to prove he can make an impact in senior competition.
Against a Doncaster Rovers side that has struggled defensively in recent weeks, conceding seven goals in their last four matches, Tel’s dynamism and unpredictability could be decisive. If Spurs are to avoid the kind of third-round shocks that have plagued them in the past, the teenager’s ability to inject creativity and end product will be central to their attacking play.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Doncaster Rovers
Tottenham Hotspur will begin their EFL Cup campaign as overwhelming favourites, and with Thomas Frank expected to field a youthful but talented side, Spurs should still possess too much quality for their League One visitors. The likes of Mathys Tel, Dane Scarlett, and Archie Gray offer energy and attacking spark, while Brennan Johnson and Destiny Udogie provide balance and experience to support the younger players. Playing at home in North London further tilts the tie heavily in their favour.
Doncaster Rovers, meanwhile, arrive on the back of consecutive league defeats and recent defensive frailties. While the presence of veteran Billy Sharp gives them a focal point in attack and Damola Ajayi’s involvement against his parent club adds intrigue, their backline has looked vulnerable, and facing a Premier League outfit at full intensity is a different challenge entirely.
Cup football can throw up surprises, and Doncaster’s run past Middlesbrough and Accrington Stanley proves they are capable of upsetting higher-tier opponents. However, the gulf in class, depth, and form is difficult to overlook. Tottenham’s attacking talent should ultimately overwhelm the visitors, and Spurs are unlikely to allow another early-round slip-up.
