The Dons make their final road trip of the season this afternoon when they visit Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town.
Although their fight to remain in the Sky Bet Championship came to an end at stadiummk last weekend, Karl Robinson’s side will still be looking to end the 2015/16 campaign on a positive note.
One way of doing that, would be to end their winless run and move past the 40-point mark with one game left.
The men from MK1 have good form when it comes to winning away from home at the end of the season - since 2010, they have won four of their final road league fixtures and drawn the other.
THE OPPOSITION
Ipswich, themselves, are in search of a long-awaited victory having gone seven matches without a win.
The Tractor Boys’ recent form has seen them miss out on a Championship play-off place but they’ll still be looking to finish as high up the table as they possibly can, with seventh position still within reach.
Mick McCarthy’s team have proven difficult to score against all campaign at Portman Road, having conceded just 22 times in 22 games. They have, though, only found the net on 25 occasions, which is fewer than all-but two of the teams in the top-half of the division.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons’ stay in the Championship came to an end after defeat at home to Brentford.
Robinson’s men took the lead through Nicky Maynard just six minutes in but the Bees struck back through Sergi Canos, before Lasse Vibe turned things around early in the second half.
Ryan Woods then extended Brentford’s advantage with a superb strike and Jake Bidwell rounded off a difficult afternoon for the Dons by scoring direct from a free-kick.
One way of doing that, would be to end their winless run and move past the 40-point mark with one game left.
The men from MK1 have good form when it comes to winning away from home at the end of the season - since 2010, they have won four of their final road league fixtures and drawn the other.
THE OPPOSITION
Ipswich, themselves, are in search of a long-awaited victory having gone seven matches without a win.
The Tractor Boys’ recent form has seen them miss out on a Championship play-off place but they’ll still be looking to finish as high up the table as they possibly can, with seventh position still within reach.
Mick McCarthy’s team have proven difficult to score against all campaign at Portman Road, having conceded just 22 times in 22 games. They have, though, only found the net on 25 occasions, which is fewer than all-but two of the teams in the top-half of the division.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons’ stay in the Championship came to an end after defeat at home to Brentford.
Robinson’s men took the lead through Nicky Maynard just six minutes in but the Bees struck back through Sergi Canos, before Lasse Vibe turned things around early in the second half.
Ryan Woods then extended Brentford’s advantage with a superb strike and Jake Bidwell rounded off a difficult afternoon for the Dons by scoring direct from a free-kick.
Rhodes went closest to winning it after the break but hit the post from the centre of the box.
Tractor Boys’ stopper Bartosz Bialkowski was the busier of the two keepers and denied both Stewart Downing and Jordan Rhodes in the first half.
Ipswich frustrated title contenders Middlesbrough but saw their own promotion hopes come to an end after a goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium.
“We go to Ipswich looking to put a performance on for the fans.”
Karl Robinson: “I’m looking forward to playing against a great manager in Mick McCarthy, at a great stadium in Portman Road.
FIGHTING TALK
) mkstadium Last Ipswich win: 1-0, 12 Dec 2015 (
Ipswich wins at Portman Road: 0
Ipswich wins: 1
) mkstadium Last Dons win: 3-3 (5-3 pens), 14 Aug 2007 (
Dons wins at Portman Road: 0
Dons wins: 1
HEAD TO HEAD
Stroud's assisants this afternoon will be Anthony Serrano and Michael Webb, while the fourth official is Oliver Langford.
In 43 games this campaign, Stroud has shown 185 yellow card and sent 11 players off, although he hasn't produced a red card since February.
Keith Stroud will referee the Dons for the third time this season today, having taken charge of the Capital One Cup tie against Southampton back in August and the Championship victory over Queens Park Rangers in March.
REFEREE
Jonny Williams has returned to parent club Crystal Palace, following the expiry of his 93-day loan spell.
Ben Reeves (calf), David Martin (hand) are Rob Hall (knee) all sidelined, while Robinson has confirmed Jake Forster-Caskey has picked up a knock too.
Meanwhile, Robinson will have a decision to make regarding both Kyle McFadzean and Samir Carruthers. Both players are on 14 bookings, meaning a yellow card in one of the final two games will result in a suspension running through until the start of next season.
The Dons will travel to Portman Road with four Academy players, including soon-to-be pro Connor Furlong. First-year scholars Oran Jackson and Sam Nombe will also be making the trip, as will 16-year-old schoolboy David Kasumu.
TEAM NEWS
“As players it’s great to play in front of the fans and hopefully we can sign off from Portman Road for another season with three points in the bag.”
Luke Chambers: “We need to end on a positive note to head into next season with. We owe it to the supporters
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
@MKDonsFC can also follow every pass, tackle, shot and goal by following the Club’s official page - Twitter Those on
Fans 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! here Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 2.55pm for live commentary of today's game – click
MATCH COVERAGE
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City, 3pm
Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers, 3pm
Reading v Preston North End, 3pm
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3pm
Leeds United v Charlton Athletic, 3pm
Bristol City v Huddersfield Town, 3pm
Brentford v Fulham, 3pm
Bolton Wanderers v Hull City, 12.30pm
Saturday
Birmingham City 2-2 Middlesbrough
Friday
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
for more betting options for today’s Sky Bet Championship clash - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Carl Baker: 9/2
Josh Murphy: 4/1
Dean Bowditch: 4/1
Nicky Maynard: 7/2
Alex Revell: 3/1
First Dons goalscorer
Dons win: 4/1
Draw: 29/10
Ipswich win: 4/6
Result
SKY BET ODDS
Last draw: N/A
Draws at Portman Road: 0
Draws: 0
Tickets are no longer on sale from the Box Office.
Tickets for the clash with Ipswich can be bought from the turnstiles at Portman Road - tickets are priced at £35 adults, £25.50 seniors/students, £24.50 under-20s and £12.50 under-16s.
@MKDonsFC can also follow every pass, tackle, shot and goal by following the Club’s official page - Twitter Those on
Fans 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! here Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 2.55pm for live commentary of today's game – click
MATCH COVERAGE
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City, 3pm
Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers, 3pm
Reading v Preston North End, 3pm
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3pm
Leeds United v Charlton Athletic, 3pm
Bristol City v Huddersfield Town, 3pm
Brentford v Fulham, 3pm
Bolton Wanderers v Hull City, 12.30pm
Saturday
Birmingham City 2-2 Middlesbrough
Friday
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
for more betting options for today’s Sky Bet Championship clash - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Carl Baker: 9/2
Josh Murphy: 4/1
Dean Bowditch: 4/1
Nicky Maynard: 7/2
Alex Revell: 3/1
First Dons goalscorer
Dons win: 4/1
Draw: 29/10
Ipswich win: 4/6
Result
SKY BET ODDS
Last draw: N/A
Draws at Portman Road: 0
Draws: 0
Tickets are no longer on sale from the Box Office.
Tickets for the clash with Ipswich can be bought from the turnstiles at Portman Road - tickets are priced at £35 adults, £25.50 seniors/students, £24.50 under-20s and £12.50 under-16s.
