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2025-08-12 - Middlesbrough vs Doncaster Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup First Round
Tuesday 12th August 2025 - Kick Off 7:30pm
Middlesbrough
There have been shoots of positivity around Middlesbrough, which have raised expectations, but Chris Wilder and Michael Carrick have not quite been able to deliver. The task is now Rob Edwards', a manager who has guided Luton Town into the Premier League before suffering what was close to back to back relegations with the same club and being relieved of his duty before the second of those was confirmed.
He has an opportunity to rebuild his personal reputation as manager of Middlesbrough, although expectations are perhaps not as great as they have been in recent years. A top six spot in the Championship may be beyond Middlesbrough considering some of the other quality within the Division, and they have missed out on those Play Off spots in each of the last two campaigns.
Middlesbrough will get their League Cup campaign off to a start on Tuesday having beaten Swansea City 1-0 to open the season in what was not exactly a classic football match. Three points is all that matters right now though and Middlesbrough have won 5 of the last 7 home games played with the sole defeat coming against Leeds United, who have since been promoted to the top flight.
Changes can be expected to the starting line up.
Doncaster Rovers
Any team that earns promotion will be hoping to carry the momentum into the higher level and that is key to consolidating a position. Grant McCann and Doncaster Rovers have been operating between League One and League Two for a number of seasons now and consolidation has to be the main focus for this team, even if they have made a very good start to the new season.
They finished the League Two season as Champions last time around and Doncaster Rovers were able to reach the Second Round in the League Cup before being beaten at Everton. Fans will be excited by what has been improving campaigns since relegation from League One and Doncaster Rovers have nothing to lose here.
Doncaster Rovers have wins over Exeter City and Mansfield Town to begin life back in the third tier of English Football and that means they are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions, while winning 4 in a row. This is a team that does not mind travelling having won 3 away games in a row spread across the last few months.
Head to Head
In 2013/14, Doncaster Rovers and Middlesbrough were playing in the same Championship Division and it was the latter who picked up four points from those League matches.
The majority were earned in a 4-0 win at home and Middlesbrough have won 9 of their last 10 when hosting this opponent.
Prediction
This is going to be far from an easy test for Middlesbrough, but the win over Swansea City gives them something to build upon.
Rob Edwards will be keen for his team to do that after a tough pre-season, although he will also have a lot of respect for the work being done by Grant McCann with Doncaster Rovers.
Finishing as League Champions, Doncaster Rovers have taken to life very well in League One and this is a team that is confident having put together a 13 game unbeaten run.
Middlesbrough were not that impressive in their win over Swansea City on Saturday and will need more, but they may be worth a small interest to get the better of a team that were two Divisions below them just three months ago.
It won't be easy, but Middlesbrough can earn a narrow win and a place in the Second Round.
The Pick :
Middlesbrough 1-0 Doncaster Rovers
