Hornets handed home tie with MK Dons in cup

Watford will face MK Dons in the first round of the Carabao Cup in what will be the second competitive meeting between the two clubs.

The Hornets will be hoping for better than the only previous meeting between the two sides when they were knocked out in the second round of the competition following a 2-0 defeat at Vicarage Road in August 2022.

Dons, who are managed by former Watford defender Mike Williamson, missed out on promotion from League Two last season when they were thrashed 8-1 on aggregate by Crawley Town in the play-off semi-finals.

Watford were also knocked out at their first hurdle in the competition last year when they were beaten on penalties at Stevenage following a 1-1 draw.

The tie, which will be the first home game of the new season for Tom Cleverley’s men, is due to be played in the week beginning Monday, August 12.