MK Dons vs Arsenal U21 Prediction: Goals should flow in Trophy clash

MK Dons host Arsenal U21 in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night and the visitors are aiming to make it two wins out of two in this season's competition.

The match kicks off at 19:00 at Stadium MK, where MK Dons have won only two of their last eight competitive fixtures. Below you can find my MK Dons vs Arsenal U21 predictions. 

Team news

MK Dons could hand a debut to striker Scott Hogan as forwards Jonathan Leko and Matt Dennis are sidelined. Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence is still recovering from a knee injury.

Arsenal U21 welcome back striker Khayon Edwards after a three-match suspension but captain Nathan Butler-Oyedeji will be assessed after being called up to the first-team squad for the weekend Premier League fixture against Southampton.

With Tommy Setford injured and Jack Porter on international duty, Brian Okonkwo is likely to start in goal for the young Gunners.

MK Dons vs Arsenal U21 Odds

MK Dons are 7/10 to beat 11/4 visitors Arsenal U21 and the draw in 90 minutes can be backed at 3/1.

Both teams to score is a 1/2 chance on Tuesday and the 1-1 draw, which has been a winning bet in three of MK Dons' last four matches, is priced up at 7/1.

Over 3.5 goals @ 6/5

New MK Dons manager Scott Lindsey picked up his first win in comprehensive fashion last week as his side thumped Harrogate 5-1 on the road in League 2.

The Dons conceded a late equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Tranmere and the goals should continue to flow when they host Arsenal U21 in the EFL Trophy.

MK Dons lost 2-1 away to Colchester in their first game in the competition this season and five of their previous six EFL Trophy matches had produced over 3.5 goals.

That includes last term's 4-1 home win over Chelsea U21 and it looks a good bet when they take on Arsenal's youngsters, who have lost 3-0 to Liverpool and 5-2 to Tottenham in their last two Premier League 2 fixtures.

However, Arsenal U21 started the season by beating Manchester United 4-2, Wolves 3-1 and Aston Villa 4-1 and they showed their ability to trouble senior defences in a 2-1 EFL Trophy victory at Leyton Orient.

Correct score 2-2 @ 10/1

Both of these teams have been inconsistent this season and MK Dons look vulnerable favourites after winning three, drawing three and losing four of their first 10 League Two matches.

Arsenal kicked off the campaign with a four-game winning streak before conceding eight goals in defeats to Liverpool and Spurs so a high-scoring draw appeals in the correct-score market.

The Gunners' last seven EFL Trophy games all featured over 2.5 goals and that run includes a 2-2 draw at Swindon last season and a 3-2 defeat at Stevenage in November 2022.

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