It was all change for Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season and the relief was huge that a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the Premier League kept them in the top flight.
New manager Roberto De Zerbi will have much loftier ambitions this time and, after a strong summer in the transfer market, the former Brighton boss will want to ensure his team hit the ground running with their opening game against Brentford just a month away.
Spurs will take on MK Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday and the League One new boys are a little further down the line in their preparations and have already played two warm-up matches.
Tottenham Hotspur v MK Dons Tips Summary
Best Bet - Tottenham to win & both teams to score @ 7/5
Alternative Bet -Tottenham-Tottenham half-time/full-time @ 8/11
Double - Over 3.5 goals & second-half to have most goals @ 5/2
Tottenham Hotspur v MK Dons Prediction
Best Bet: Tottenham to win & both teams to score @ 7/5
Pre-season friendlies are difficult to analyse from a betting perspective with teams often at different stages of their preparations for when the business gets serious.
A World Cup ending in mid-July adds another factor but if there is one team who are determined to hit the ground running, it should be Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs endured a miserable season last term which almost ended in disaster as they avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the campaign.
They have made significant changes since then as manager De Zerbi embraces a new start and the amount of transfer activity has stoked enthusiasm that they could soon be back challenging for trophies.
Many of those who look set to be stalwarts of the campaign will be heading off on holiday after their summer exploits, but those left behind will be keen to impress, such as James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, who will be hoping for an injury-free season.
There could be a bit of a shake-up in the Spurs back line which could lead to chances for the Dons, who beat Maidenhead United 4-1 before losing 2-1 to NK Istra on a trip to Croatia.
The League One new boys could score, so there seems a likelihood that Spurs will win while conceding.
Alternative Bet: Tottenham-Tottenham half-time/full-time @ 8/11
There was an increased intensity in the final few games of the season when De Zerbi arrived at Spurs and the manager will be keen for that to continue.
Although this game is a friendly and Spurs will probably face tougher battles when they head on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.
But there are enough players looking to make their mark and capture the manager’s eye to see them get off to a swift start in this one, so there is a strong chance they will go into the interval ahead.
Tottenham Hotspur v MK Dons Double Tip
Second half to have most goals
Over 3.5 goals
Pays 5/2
While Spurs should make a fast start, there is still scope for there to be more goals in the second half as fringe players get their chance to impress and the Dons become increasingly eager to make their mark.
That can be put together in a double with there being at least four goals in the encounter as it looks set to be an open affair.
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Key Match Stats
Four of Tottenham’s six pre-season friendlies last season featured fewer than three goals
Both teams scored in just two of those six matches
Both teams have found the net in each of MK Dons’ pre-season friendlies this summer
Tottenham won 3-1 on the last occasion they faced MK Dons in a pre-season friendly in 2021
Spurs have lost one of their last 10 friendlies against lower-league opposition
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
