There are plenty of fascinating Carling Cup ties tonight and we begin with the matchup at Turf Moor. MK Dons, 4th placed in League One, head to Burnley with their minds focussed on another cup scalp after their demolition of Norwich in the last round. Milton Keynes stunned their Premiership opponents with a 4-0 away win, and have won five of their six away games this season. Their only loss came in their last away trip when they defeated 3-1 by Sheffield Wednesday.
However, manager Karl Robinson will likely have to field a side that is much changed tonight as he travels to Turf Moor with a number of reserves and academy players expected to feature. Defender Gary MacKenzie is suspended after what Robinson described as a “stupid” off the ball sending off against Bournemouth on Saturday as the Dons were held to a 1-1 draw at home.
As for Eddie Howe’s Burnley, they will be looking to regain some form after two consecutive losses in the Championship. Burnley were beaten 2-1 at Peterborough on Saturday, a result that came on the heels of a 2-0 home defeat against Middlesbrough. Indeed, Burnley’s home form has hardly been stellar this season – they have won just two of five home league games, and both of those were extra time successes against lower league opposition (6-3 v Burton Albion, 3-2 v Barnet). Burnley have also failed to keep a single clean sheet this season, but Howe has maintained that performances have been better than results have suggested and is keen to make the Carling Cup a catalyst to more success in the league.
Even money on a home win would not appeal in the slightest if you take the form of these two sides this season at face value. However, given the changes to the MK Dons side that have been forced upon Karl Robinson for tonight, Burnley should have enough to see off their high-flying League One opponents. Despite failing to record 90 minute victories against League Two opposition at home twice already this season, reaching the 4th round will provide further motivation for Burnley than may have been present in those earlier round contests, and with the need to claim a first home win in normal time on the minds of individuals at the club, this will likely be the right night to achieve that feet.
Suggestion:
BURNLEY 1pt win @ Evens (William Hill and various)
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