Register for FREE to read this article.

Already have an account?

You have article views left.
Register for FREE to read more articles.

Already have an account?

Remind me next time

The 2021-22 Carabao Cup kicks off this weekend with 70 clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two entering the competition in the first round. Thirty-five games with be played across the first round and one of the ties of the round will be played between Bournemouth and MK Dons.

Bournemouth vs MK Dons Match Preview

The fixture will pit Bournemouth from the Championship against MK Dons of League One. New Bournemouth manager Scott Parker will hope the side can get off to a great start versus MK Dons and use the fixture as a springboard for success in the Championship this term. Leading sportsbooks have Bournemouth at betting odds of 9/1 to win the Championship after they fell just short of promotion last season in the playoffs.

MK Dons manager Russell Martin will have his focus on the team gaining promotion to the Championship after last season’s 13th-place finish. The Dons went out of the Carabao Cup in the first-round last term, losing 1-0 to Coventry City.

Bournemouth reached the third round of the Carabao Cup in 2020-21. After entering the competition in the second round where they progressed past Premier League team Crystal Palace on penalties, 11-10, following a nil-nil draw in regulation, Bournemouth lost 2-1 to Manchester City in round No. 3. Can Parker get the Cherries off to a strong start in the Carabao Cup or will MK Dons progress on Saturday?

Bournemouth vs MK Dons Betting Odds

 

 

Bournemouth have not had the best preseason as they head into the Carabao Cup first round on Saturday. Parker is likely to use the game as a warm-up for the marathon-like Championship campaign which kicks off in August. The Cherries defeated Spanish club Linese 4-2 in preseason play before losing to Granada 2-1 and Chelsea 2-1. Striker Dominic Solanke scored twice in preseason and could have another strong campaign on the south coast.

 

Leading sportsbooks have Bournemouth as favourites to win against MK Dons and start the Carabao Cup well. Bournemouth’s best betting odds are at 4/7 to win on Saturday at home. MK Dons’ best betting odds to claim a first-round Carabao Cup victory are at 5/1. Martin’s team is a long-shot to claim a victory and progress to the second round of the cup tournament.

MK Dons have played five preseason games with the competition getting progressively more difficult. They defeated King’s Lynn Town, Maidenhead United, and Coventry City before losing to Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Bournemouth vs MK Dons Team News

Transfer business has been slow at Bournemouth as the team attempt to make the promotion playoffs – or do better – this season. A host of names have been released with just a few players coming in to replace those who have departed. Ten players were released including former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere. Meanwhile, the club sold Diego Rico, Asmir Begovic, and Ajani Burchall.

Former Brentford player Emiliano Marcondes was signed on a permanent deal while Leeds United allowed Leif Davis to join the club on loan. Ex-Reading player and current Celtic transfer target, Kyle Edwards, is on trial at Bournemouth. Even if the player is signed, he won’t make the squad for Saturday’s Carabao Cup game.

Parker is likely to start striker Dominic Solanke in attack along with Arnaut Danjuma. The former scored 15 goals in 45 games in 2020-21 while the latter bagged a team-high 17 in 37 matches. There are question marks around Danjuma’s future at Bournemouth as a number of clubs want to sign him following last season. The uncertainty could see Parker leave Danjuma out of the team.

Martin will hope MK Dons’ new signings can make a splash in the Carabao Cup first round. Eight players have arrived on permanent deals or loans. Left wing Josh Martin joined from Premier League club Norwich City and could get plenty of playing time.

Bournemouth vs MK Dons H2H

These teams last met in the 2018-19 Carabao Cup. Bournemouth won the game 3-0 against MK Dons. Prior to that win, the two teams had met since the 2012-13 League One season. Between 2010 and 2013, the clubs met six times in League One with Bournemouth posting a record of 2W-2D-2L. There is a gulf in class between these teams going into the Carabao Cup first round match on Saturday. However, with Parker managing his first competitive game for Bournemouth, MK Dons could claim a surprise win.

Bournemouth vs MK Dons Prediction

Both teams to score: YES @ 3/4 - BET NOW

 

 

This game comes a week before the Championship season kicks off and Bournemouth are coming off of back-to-back friendly losses to Granada and Chelsea – both games finished 2-1. The Cherries have a new manager and player turnover. They could give up a goal or two to MK Dons on the Saturday in the teams’ first competitive fixture.

 

Dominic Solanke to score anytime @ 1/1 - BET NOW

 

 

Solanke was second in goals for Bournemouth last season. He finished with term with 15 goals in 45 matches. With Danjuma potentially leaving the club before the end of the transfer window, the pressure to score goals falls even more on Solanke’s shoulders. The former Liverpool man has stepped up to the plate previously at the Championship level. He could get a goal versus the Dons to kick off the Carabao Cup.

 

Over 2.5 goals scored @ 7/10 - BET NOW

 

 

The last time these teams played in 2018-19 in the Carabao Cup, the match finished 3-0 in favour of Bournemouth. This time around, our betting tips experts believe both sides will get on the board and the defences are likely to struggle.

 

All three of Bournemouth’s preseason matches finished with over 2.5 goals scored and both teams scoring. All five of MK Dons’ preseason games ended with both teams scoring goals and more than 2.5 goals. The sides should treat this as another preseason game to get players fit for their promotion pushes.

In the end, Bournemouth should get a win in a competitive fixture. Goals should be scored as both managers iron out the kinks before their respective regular seasons begin. 

Bournemouth vs MK Dons Betting Tips