Prediction: MK Dons vs Leicester City

Verdict: Leicester City win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup adventure on Tuesday night, Leicester will make the trip to League One outfit MK Dons.

MK Dons

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a much-needed return to winning ways over the weekend with a 2-0 victory away at Portsmouth, interim boss Dean Lewington will be desperate for his temporary squad to build on that performance. However, although the Buckinghamshire-based outfit might have shocked many across League One last season as they eventually secured a bronze medal finish, the Whites have rather drastically struggled to keep up that same momentum this time around. Despite drawing a line under their four-match winless run a few days ago, the Dons still find themselves at the heart of a League One relegation scrap. Three points adrift of safety and knowing that they will face a huge task on Tuesday night, it should also be noted that the midweek hosts have shown some extended issues in Buckinghamshire. Last seen at Stadium MK getting hit with a 2-1 loss against Fleetwood, Lewington’s side have won just one of their last four contests in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Finding the net away at Portsmouth over the weekend and recording two goals in his previous four appearances, Bradley Johnson should once again partner one-time Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran in midfield.

Potentially with one eye on their League One fight for survival, Lewington could be tempted to make some changes here. The likes of Will Grigg and Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry will be hoping for a full recall on Tuesday night.

Leicester City

As for the visitors, while Leicester might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a rather public Premier League nightmare, the Foxes were enjoying a stellar purple patch prior to the World Cup break. Last seen on November 12th when heading into the enforced interval with a deserved 2-0 victory away at West Ham, Brendan Rodgers’ side should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Skyrocketing their way up the table and simply looking to carry on from where they left off last month, the one-time Liverpool boss should be smelling a golden chance on Tuesday night. Winning five of their previous six domestic matchups across all formats, Leicester had also gained a reputation for their extended defensive resolve. In fact, aside from a 1-0 loss at the hands of defending Premier League champions Manchester City on October 29th, that is the only strike that the Foxes have conceded from their previous seven outings.

Team News

While James Maddison might not have made a single appearance while away with England at this winter’s World Cup, the 26-year-old is not expected to feature on Tuesday night.

Likewise, the Premier League outfit will once again be without the quartet of James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand here. However, with Rodgers likely to name a strong line-up in midweek, the likes of Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes should feature.

Key Factors to Consider

• Leicester entered the World Cup’s winter break by winning five of their final six domestic matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, the Premier League outfit have conceded just a single strike in any of their last seven appearances – a run that stems back to October 8th.
• MK Dons have managed to record just a single victory from any of their last four home fixtures across all competitions.
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have landed just a pair of wins from their previous eight matchups across all formats.
• Leicester had previously won each of their last three Premier League away fixtures by an aggregate score of 8-0.

Conclusion

While MK Dons might have managed to claim a much-needed 2-0 victory away at Portsmouth over the weekend, there is no doubt that the League One strugglers face a huge task here. At the heart of a third-tier relegation scrap, Leicester should be looking to mark their return to action with another flurry on the road. Heading into the World Cup’s winter break enjoying what had become a remarkable purple patch, Rodgers’ side had also continued to shine away from the King Power. Last seen on competitive duties landing a deserved 2-0 victory away at West Ham on November 12th, Leicester are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Leicester City win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Unibet