Football Result

Ben Close 11'
Damola Ajayi 23'
Robbie Gotts 84'
Thomas Nixon 90'+6'


Verification of the Result Prediction
Win
Draw
Win
50.6%
25.2%
24.2%
That's quite a surprise.
Power Comparison in the League
0.473
0.512
Game Stats
Goals
0
4
Shots on Target
5
5
Shots
18
18
Possession
62.7%
37.3%
Fouls
13
16
Yellow Cards
1
3
Red Cards
0
0
Corners
7
2
Offsides
4
0
Saves
1
5
Team Formations
3-4-2-1
4-2-3-1


Location
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England
Attendance
11,979
Estimated Goal Scoring Chance
2025-08-13 | Game Summary

The English Carabao Cup First Round match between Middlesbrough and Doncaster Rovers at the Riverside Stadium ended in a shocking 0-4 victory for the away side. Doncaster Rovers defied pre-game predictions, which heavily favored a Middlesbrough win (50.6% probability), with goals from Ben Close, Damola Ajayi, Robbie Gotts, and Thomas Nixon. Middlesbrough, despite dominating possession (62.7%), failed to convert their chances, managing only 5 shots on target out of 18 total shots. Doncaster, with a 4-2-3-1 formation, were clinical, scoring 4 goals from their 5 shots on target. The AI model did not predict a balanced game.
This result marks a significant upset in the English Carabao Cup. Doncaster's attacking prowess was the deciding factor. Middlesbrough's 3-4-2-1 formation couldn't break down the organized Doncaster defense. The result also underscores the unpredictable nature of cup competitions. Doncaster's recent form has been strong, winning their last five games before this match, all while competing in a lower league. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag of results.
Middlesbrough will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities ahead of their upcoming English League Championship match against Millwall. Millwall has demonstrated decent form. Doncaster Rovers will look to carry this momentum into their English League One fixture against Wycombe Wanderers. Wycombe's recent results have been inconsistent. Considering their recent performances, Doncaster may well continue their winning streak. Middlesbrough's performance in the upcoming matches will be of great interest.