Everton Under-21s will travel on Tuesday to Eco-Power Stadium, where they will face Doncaster Rovers in their opening group game of the EFL Trophy.
The League One hosts head into their clash fresh from a 1-0 victory against Rotherham United on Saturday, whereas Everton Under-21s lost 2-1 against Norwich City Under-21s on Friday in the Premier League 2.
Match preview
Doncaster Rovers created few opportunities of note against Rotherham, with the club only producing one big chance, but they should be credited for preventing their opponents from creating any big chances of their own.
The Red and White Army's win increased their points tally to 13 in League One, and they are fifth having conceded just four times in their six fixtures in the third tier.
Boss Grant McCann's side topped their four-team group in last season's edition of the EFL Trophy, accumulating seven points from three games, but they were knocked out in the round of 32 by Port Vale when they were beaten 1-0 in December 2024.
The hosts have played eight matches this term, winning six times while also winning their past three, though they only netted six times in their six league games.
Doncaster Rovers' record at home has been positive this campaign considering they have triumphed in two and drawn one of their three fixtures at Eco-Power Stadium, keeping two clean sheets and scoring twice.
Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann pictured on July 23, 2024
Despite producing many attempts against Norwich - 10 shots on target and 16 efforts from inside the box - Everton Under-21s were ultimately beaten because of poor defending in the early stages of both halves.
Manager Paul Tait's side are 20th in the Premier League 2 with three points from three matches, and they have scored the joint 10th fewest goals (five) of the 29 clubs in the division.
The Toffees failed to make it out of their group in the 2024-25 edition of the EFL Trophy, finishing third with three points behind Tranmere Rovers (six) and Stockport County (six).
Everton have been defeated in each of their two most recent outings - conceding six - and they lost three and won three of their previous six clashes.
The visitors were beaten 2-0 by Doncaster Rovers when the sides faced off in 2023, and they head to Eco-Power Stadium having suffered two defeats in their past three games on the road.
Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):
W
D
L
W
W
W
Everton Under-21s form (all competitions):
W
L
W
W
L
L
Team News
Doncaster Rovers forward Brandon Hanlan in action for his side against Exeter City, on August 2, 2025
Doncaster Rovers utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation when they face Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup on August 26, and perhaps centre-forward Brandon Hanlan will lead the line.
Midfielders Charlie Crew and Ben Close may be asked to play in supportive roles behind number 10 Joe Sbarra.
In defence, expect full-backs Thomas Nixon and James Maxwell to flank Sean Grehan and Matthew Pearson.
Everton Under-21s are likely to use George Pickford in goal once again, and the shot stopper could be shieled by central defenders Elijah Campbell and Jack Patterson.
Strikers Braiden Graham and George Morgan will hope that midfielders William Tamen and Francis Gomez can provide them a stable platform from which to attack.
Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Lawlor; Nixon, Grehan, Pearson, Maxwell; Crew, Close; Ajayi, Sbarra, Gibson; Hanlan
Everton Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Finney, Campbell, Patterson, Thomas; Heath, Tamen, Gomez, Clarke; Graham, Morgan
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We say: Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Everton Under-21s
Doncaster Rovers are unbeaten at home so far this season, and their overall record this campaign in terms of results has been excellent.
The visitors' performances of late have not been particularly strong, so it would not be surprising if Everton Under-21s succumbed to yet another loss.
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