Tottenham Hotspur reached the semi-finals of last season’s Carabao Cup. Their fans, who now have a taste for silverware after May’s Europa League triumph, will be hoping for another deep run this time around.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Doncaster
Tottenham (4-3-3): Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Byfield, Davies; Bentancur, Gray, Sarr; Johnson, Tel, Odobert.
The Lilywhites have made a great start on all fronts under new boss Thomas Frank. The Dane will be confident his side can ease past League One Doncaster Rovers in the third round, even if rotating his team heavily.
The tie will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm on Wednesday.
Tottenham team news vs Doncaster
Frank is likely to use Wednesday’s game against third-tier opposition to give some minutes to some of his fringe players. This should include back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and Europa League hero Brennan Johnson.
Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Kevin Danso are others who could come in. But Spurs fans will be most excited to see Archie Gray given a rare opportunity in midfield.
Gray played plenty of football under Ange Postecoglou last term but the majority of that came in defence. However, Frank has made it clear he wishes to use the youngster in his natural position as a midfielder.
He should join the ever-impressive Pape Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur in the engine room. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma are all still sidelined.
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Dominic Solanke and Kota Takai are also out, with the latter’s absence potentially opening the door for exciting 16-year-old centre-back Jun’ai Byfield to make his debut.
Randal Kolo Muani is the only doubt and he is unlikely to be risked against such weak opposition.
Tottenham’s Carabao Cup relationship
Tottenham have had a love-hate relationship with the Cabao Cup in recent seasons. In the seven seasons since the 2017-18 campaign, Spurs have either made it to the semi-finals or further or been eliminated in their first game.
After narrowly missing out on the final in the 2018-19 campaign, they were knocked out on penalties by League Two Colchester United the following season. But they made the final and semis again on their next two tries.
First-hurdle defeats to Nottingham Forest and Fulham preceded their run to last season’s semis. And it will be fascinating to see which of his predecessors Frank emulates.
Luckily for Spurs Tottenham, the early signs are positive. Tottenham’s only Premier League loss this term has come against a strong Bournemouth side. They have already routed West Ham United 3-0, beaten Manchester City 2-0 and won 1-0 their Champions League opener.
Tottenham are a young side heading in the right direction under the Dane and their strong investment this summer means they have the depth to sweep aside Doncaster, who are playing in the third round for the first time in eight seasons, with relative ease.