Getting their Group F campaigns under way, Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield Town meet for an EFL Trophy contest on Tuesday evening.
Both posting three wins from four so far, Rovers are riding high in the early League Two table, while Town have started well in the third tier.
Match preview
© Imago
An impressive 3-2 win at Port Vale gave Doncaster their third win in four league games at the weekend, with yet another Billy Sharp strike and a Luke Molyneux double sealing the deal at Vale Park.
Grant McCann's promotion-hopefuls sit fifth in the early League Two table, with nine points already on the board - their only setback thus far was slipping up against Newport.
Rovers are ultimately bidding to end a three-year stay in England's fourth tier, and they have picked up where they left off towards the end of the 2023-24 season.
A remarkable 10-game winning run preceded their semi-final playoff loss to Crewe Alexandra on penalties, so they will surely be gunning for automatic promotion this time around.
McCann's men have already been in cup action this term, beating Salford City 2-0 in the EFL Cup first round before succumbing to Everton two weeks later; now, they embark on another campaign in the EFL Trophy.
At the weekend, Huddersfield made the short trip to Rotherham aiming to continue their flawless start to the League One season, after suffering relegation from the Championship last term.
However, Michael Duff's side dropped their first points following a 2-1 defeat, after going down to 10 men when Danny Ward was sent off and later conceding a 90th-minute goal.
Nonetheless, Town's quest to make an immediate return to the second tier has largely started well, with three straight wins preceding their loss on Saturday.
They also cruised past Morecambe in the EFL Cup first round, though League Two side Walsall halted their run in that competition last week, dealing out a 3-2 defeat to the Terriers at Bescot Stadium.
After their second straight setback in Rotherham, now Huddersfield face another Yorkshire derby, as they kick begin their EFL Trophy campaign in a group also featuring Barnsley and Manchester United Under-21s.
Team News
Once again, Doncaster will be without James Maxwell and captain Richard Wood on Tuesday, as both recently underwent surgery - the latter will not return from an ankle injury for several weeks.
Midfielder Ben Close is closing in on a comeback, though, and he could play a part in midweek after being an unused substitute against Everton.
Tom Nixon was forced off by an ankle injury during that game, but the full-back - who rejoined Rovers on a permanent basis from Hull City after a successful loan spell last season - should be available too.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town could give a full debut to Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Joe Hodge, who scored as a substitute at the weekend.
While Tom Lees returned to full fitness last week, Rhys Healey was not involved against Rotherham, and his presence remains in some doubt.
Brodie Spencer was called up to the Northern Ireland squad despite expecting to spend several weeks sidelined by a shoulder injury, while David Kasumu has been ruled out for at least a month, having ruptured an ankle ligament.
Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Lawlor; Sterry, Olowu, Anderson, Fleming; Kelly, Bailey; Gibson, Clifton, Yeboah; Ironside
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Lees, Helik, Ruffels; Sorensen, Hogg, Evans, Hodge, Miller; Koroma, Marshall
We say: Doncaster Rovers 2-3 Huddersfield Town
With both teams in confident mood, this opening Group F encounter could feature multiple goals. Huddersfield's greater quality should see them to victory, but it could be a close contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
