MK Dons are back in Sky Bet League One action this weekend as they face in-form Shrewsbury Town at Stadium MK.
Robbie Neilson’s side will be looking to return to winning ways after a run of three straight games without a victory, while they’ll also want to get back amongst the goals after being held to a blank in each of their games since the 1-0 triumph over Oldham Athletic earlier this month.
While Saturday's clash will be a tough one for the men from MK1, they do boast a strong record at home since Neilson’s appointment as manager at the start of December.
In their last eight Stadium MK matches, the Dons have taken 16 points courtesy of five wins and one draw. They’ve also scored 14 goals and conceded just eight times, with two clean sheets to their name.
It is form Neilson’s side would like to maintain as they aim to climb as high up the Sky Bet League One table as they possibly can before the season concludes at the end of April.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Saturday's opponents Shrewsbury boast the best record in Sky Bet League One over the last six matches so they’ll be arriving in Milton Keynes this weekend full of optimism.
Paul Hurst’s team have won five of their last seven games – a run which includes impressive victories over promotion-hopefuls Bradford City and Scunthorpe United.
The Shrews have also been proved hard to score against, having limited teams to one goal or less in each of their seven games since the start of 2017.
That said, the majority of their success has come at Greenhous Meadow with their away form still inconsistent at best – the Shropshire club have won just two of their last eight matches on the road.
Those victories, however, did come against second-placed Scunthorpe and seventh-placed Millwall so there’s little doubt that Shrewsbury will provide a tough test for the Dons in only their fourth visit to Stadium MK.
The Dons fell to their first home defeat in six games last weekend, courtesy of a 1-0 reverse against play-off contenders Fleetwood Town at Stadium MK.
Neilson’s side had the better of the first-half and went agonisingly close to an opener on 14 minutes when Harvey Barnes crashed a right-footed effort against the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Fleetwood then had two efforts cleared off the line early in the second half before Cod Army centre-back Cian Bolger headed a George Glendon corner past David Martin to earn his side all three points.
While Saturday's clash will be a tough one for the men from MK1, they do boast a strong record at home since Neilson’s appointment as manager at the start of December.
In their last eight Stadium MK matches, the Dons have taken 16 points courtesy of five wins and one draw. They’ve also scored 14 goals and conceded just eight times, with two clean sheets to their name.
It is form Neilson’s side would like to maintain as they aim to climb as high up the Sky Bet League One table as they possibly can before the season concludes at the end of April.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Saturday's opponents Shrewsbury boast the best record in Sky Bet League One over the last six matches so they’ll be arriving in Milton Keynes this weekend full of optimism.
Paul Hurst’s team have won five of their last seven games – a run which includes impressive victories over promotion-hopefuls Bradford City and Scunthorpe United.
The Shrews have also been proved hard to score against, having limited teams to one goal or less in each of their seven games since the start of 2017.
That said, the majority of their success has come at Greenhous Meadow with their away form still inconsistent at best – the Shropshire club have won just two of their last eight matches on the road.
Those victories, however, did come against second-placed Scunthorpe and seventh-placed Millwall so there’s little doubt that Shrewsbury will provide a tough test for the Dons in only their fourth visit to Stadium MK.
The Dons fell to their first home defeat in six games last weekend, courtesy of a 1-0 reverse against play-off contenders Fleetwood Town at Stadium MK.
Neilson’s side had the better of the first-half and went agonisingly close to an opener on 14 minutes when Harvey Barnes crashed a right-footed effort against the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Fleetwood then had two efforts cleared off the line early in the second half before Cod Army centre-back Cian Bolger headed a George Glendon corner past David Martin to earn his side all three points.
AFC Wimbledon did draw level soon after through Andy Barcham but the Shropshire outfit weren’t to be denied as centre-back Aristote Nsiala headed home a winning goal deep into stoppage time.
It was the Shrews who drew first blood on 65 minutes courtesy of Tyler Roberts’ deflected free-kick.
Shrewsbury netted a last-minute winner at home to AFC Wimbledon to climb up to 17th in Sky Bet League One.
Robbie Neilson: “They are doing well. They had a good result at the weekend and they are on a roll. They have good pace in their team in the wide areas and they are a real attacking threat who can cause teams problems.”
Paul Hurst: “From looking at their games, they still like to pass the ball but I think they are willing to be a little bit more direct when required. They have some very good players and I am a bit surprised that they aren’t further up.”
Neilson hopes to have a trio of key players back available for selection this weekend.
Biggest Dons win: 3-0, 25 Aug 2007 (Stadium MK)
Last Dons win: 1-0, 6 Aug 2016 (Greenhous Meadow)
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 2
Dons wins: 4
Brown’s assistants are Neil Radford and Marvyn Amphlett while the fourth official is Ashvin Degnarain.
The East Yorkshire official has only refereed seven matches this season but has still produced 20 yellow cards. He has yet to make a dismissal in 2016/17.
Mark Brown will be the man in the middle this weekend, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since August 2013.
Two players who could return for the Shrews are striker Stephen Humphrys and defender Jack Grimmer.
Full-back Joe Riley (hamstring) is out while there are doubts over the fitness of defender Olly Lancashire (calf) and winger Tyler Roberts (hamstring). Abu Ogogo (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Shrewsbury have a number of injury concerns to content with.
That leaves Ed Upson (suspended) and Scott Wootton (knee) as the Dons’ only absentees.
Joe Walsh is in contention for a place after serving his two-match suspension while Dean Lewington and Ben Reeves have returned to training following their respective injury lay-offs.
Last draw: 0-0, 3 Aug 2013 (Greenhous Meadow)
Draws at Stadium MK: 0
Draws: 4
MK Dons PlayerHD will have live commentary of Saturday's match –
to register! here Sign up for Sky Bet today and receive a FREE £10 bet – click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Ajay Leitch-Smith: 17/2
Tyler Roberts: 17/2
Stephen Humphrys: 8/1
Freddie Ladapo: 6/1
No goalscorer: 9/1
Harvey Barnes: 11/2
Chuks Aneke: 5/1
Dean Bowditch: 5/1
Kieran Agard: 4/1
First goalscorer
Shrewsbury win: 17/4
Draw: 11/4
Dons win: 4/6
Result
Biggest Shrewsbury win: 3-2, 12 Mar 2013 (Stadium MK)
Last Shrewsbury win: 3-2, 12 Mar 2013 (Stadium MK)
Shrewsbury wins at Stadium MK: 1
Shrewsbury wins: 3 There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels -
Supporters can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s matchday blog, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from midday.
to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month! hereclick !Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
to register! here Sign up for Sky Bet today and receive a FREE £10 bet – click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Ajay Leitch-Smith: 17/2
Tyler Roberts: 17/2
Stephen Humphrys: 8/1
Freddie Ladapo: 6/1
No goalscorer: 9/1
Harvey Barnes: 11/2
Chuks Aneke: 5/1
Dean Bowditch: 5/1
Kieran Agard: 4/1
First goalscorer
Shrewsbury win: 17/4
Draw: 11/4
Dons win: 4/6
Result
Biggest Shrewsbury win: 3-2, 12 Mar 2013 (Stadium MK)
Last Shrewsbury win: 3-2, 12 Mar 2013 (Stadium MK)
Shrewsbury wins at Stadium MK: 1
Shrewsbury wins: 3 There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels -
Supporters can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s matchday blog, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from midday.
to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month! hereclick !Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
