AFC Bournemouth vs MK Dons Predictions

• Bournemouth have not lost a home EFL Cup tie since 2016 (4 wins, 3 draws in last 7).
• MK Dons have lost their last two pre-season friendlies to Bristol City and Spurs (3-1 both times).
• MK Dons have scored in nine of their last ten away EFL Cup games.

Cherries vulnerable if Parker puts kids in

Bournemouth get the Scott Parker era underway in a competitive sense when they entertain Milton Keynes Dons in the EFL Cup on Saturday.

The ex-Fulham boss has been in charge for a few pre-season friendlies, which have largely gone well, but the acid test comes this weekend when the Championship club take on the League One Dons.

The Cherries made the EFL Cup quarter-finals three times under Eddie Howe and it was generally the cup competition that was taken more seriously in terms of team selection by the ex-boss.

Parker made nine changes to his usual Premier League line-up when in charge of Fulham last season and used the cup to see what a few kids could do when stepped up from Under-23 level.

We’d expect him to do something similar here – especially as he is still finding out about his new squad – so there could be a chance for a full-strength MK Dons side to cause a few problems.

Russell Martin’s side were beaten 3-1 in both of their two recent friendlies, but played well on both occasions.

The Dons have scored in nine of their last ten away EFL Cup games (the only blank coming at the Vitality Stadium in 2018) and we rate their chances of finding the net on Saturday.

A Both teams to score bet has plenty going for it with the Cherries having scored and conceded in each of their three pre-season run-outs under Parker.

The Cherries rarely lose home cup ties, but a 1-1 draw seems the best option in the correct score market because the visitors may be closer to full strength.