Tottenham Hotspur vs Doncaster Rovers Preview, Betting Odds and Predictions – 24/09/25

Tottenham Hotspur return to domestic knockout action in the EFL Cup third round. They will host League One outfit Doncaster Rovers at their North London home. Spurs enter the competition at this stage due to their European commitments, while their visitors battled through two away wins.

Doncaster overcame Middlesbrough with a shock 4-0 win before seeing off Accrington Stanley. The wins set them up for a glamour tie against Premier League opposition. Tottenham, meanwhile, aim to build on a positive start under Thomas Frank as they target a long-awaited domestic trophy.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Doncaster Rovers Preview

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs remain without several key players. This includes James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, and Dominic Solanke – all sidelined with injuries. Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies are also doubtful as they continue their recovery. Nevertheless, Frank is expected to rotate heavily. 

He could give opportunities to fringe players and promising youngsters. Antonin Kinsky, Archie Gray, and Mathys Tel could feature from the outset. Meanwhile teenage prospect Luca Williams-Barnett may be rewarded with a spot after netting a hat-trick for the Under-21s recently. Even so, they remain a favourite in the clash.

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Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster are approaching the tie in mixed form. They’ve followed up a five-game winning streak with consecutive losses to Wigan Athletic and Wimbledon. Defensive frailties have resurfaced as they’ve conceded seven goals conceded in their last four outings. They are also battling injury concerns. 

Harry Clifton faces six weeks out with a hamstring injury. Jamie Sterry is battling a back issue but could still be available. On-loan Spurs winger Damola Ajayi has been cleared to play against his parent club. Although he may start on the bench. Veteran forward Billy Sharp is expected to lead the line, supported by Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Doncaster Rovers Over/ Under Predictions

Total Goals Over 3.5 @ Evens as per BetMGM:

This clash promises to be an open, high-scoring tie. Tottenham’s superior firepower and depth make a lopsided scoreline plausible. especially in a mismatch like this across divisions. Doncaster have already shown attacking ambition in cup rounds against Middlesbrough and Accrington Stanley.

Meanwhile, Spurs have recently recovered from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 at Brighton. They showcased their ability to fight back and push for goals. With defensive vulnerabilities creeping into Doncaster’s recent matches, the odds favour a goal-packed evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Doncaster Rovers Player Picks

Mathys Tel to score anytime @ +120 as per FanDuel:

Tel is among the names expected to start, as Thomas Frank looks toward rotation in this cup tie. Spurs’ usually dominate in possession and tilt toward attacking options in cup games. Hence, Tel could find pockets of space to exploit. His pace and movement make him a sensible pick at +120 to break through or latch onto passing opportunities. In a match where Spurs are likely to carry most of the attacking impetus, betting on a forward in Tel at that price offers a good bet.

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Brennan Johnson to either score or assist anytime @ -135 as per FanDuel:

Johnson scored the decisive goal for Spurs in the Europa League final last season. He secured Spurs’ first major trophy in 17 years. That pedigree makes betting him to either score or assist at -135 reasonable. Johnson remains one of the more technically gifted attackers in the squad. He is well placed to combine with teammates in this fixture. Especially if rotated forwards push for involvement.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Doncaster Rovers Predictions

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Given the gulf in class, Spurs should dominate. They have shown both resilience and attacking heartbeat in recent fixtures. They recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 away to Brighton is a case in point. Doncaster, meanwhile, enter after successive defeats and with mounting defensive issues. They have conceded seven goals in their past four matches. 

Final Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Doncaster Rovers

Tottenham are likely to impose their tempo early, create overloads, and systematically break down the Rovers. Forwards like Tel, Johnson and youth inserts should contribute across the attack. The visitors’ lack of consistency and fragility at the back suggest they’ll struggle to respond. Thus, leaving the hosts comfortably ahead by the final whistle.

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.

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