Form, odds and stats ahead of Dons' Papa John's Trophy game with Northampton

MK Dons take on Northampton Town for the third time of the season on Tuesday night, vying for a spot in the last eight of the Papa John's Trophy.

It is also the second time Dons and Cobblers have crossed paths in this competition, with Russell Martin's side running out comfortable 3-1 winners at Stadium MK back in September in the group stage of the Trophy.

The other game saw the sides share a 0-0 draw in League One at the PTS Academy Stadium back in November. Down the years, Dons have picked up nine wins in 16 meetings, with Northampton winning three, and four draws.

Dons were emphatic in their second round outing against Norwich U21s, winning 6-0 to book their spot in the last 16, while Northampton were 2-1 winners away at Exeter in December to progress. Since that game though, Keith Curle's side lost three in a row, before beating Gillingham and drawing with Sunderland. Their home form too is up and down, with two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five.

Russell Martin's side have lost once in seven, and it has been almost three years since their last defeat in Northampton - the 2-1 loss in 2018 which cost Robbie Neilson his job.

Craig Hicks will referee the game. This season, he has booked 50 players in 18 games, sending off two. He last refereed MK Dons' 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup last season. Stephen Finch and Anthony Da Costa will run the lines, with fourth official Ravel Cheosiaua.

Bookmakers have Northampton at 2/1 to win, Dons at 11/10 and 5/2 the draw.