Preview: Sunderland

All you need to know ahead of today's Sky Bet League One fixture...

18 January 2020

MK Dons welcome Sunderland to Stadium MK this afternoon looking to secure their third straight home league victory.

Russell Martin’s men beat Oxford United and Portsmouth last month before defeating Bristol Rovers 3-0 on New Year’s Day – a win which saw them climb out of the bottom three in Sky Bet League One.

Since then, the Dons have picked up one point from two away matches, although certainly deserved much more from their trip to Burton Albion in midweek.

They enter this weekend above the bottom three and looking to increase that gap. A victory today could see them climb above Rochdale into 18th place and draw closer to the middle pack in the division.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

THE OPPOSITION
Sunderland are beginning to find their groove under manager Phil Parkinson and could make it four wins from five with a triumph at Stadium MK.

The Black Cats have recently beaten Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers, seeing off the latter two by a combined scoreline of 7-1. On both occasions, they scored three goals in the opening half an hour.

sunderland 800.jpg

Sunderland, though, do only have won away league win to their name since mid-September. They have only scored 10 goals on their travels in 2019/20 but, to their credit, have kept things tight at the other end – conceding only 14 goals, which ranks quite well amongst Sky Bet League One teams.

Chris Maguire is their leading marksmen – he has scored nine league goals this season. Lynden Gooch has contributed six from midfield while Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke are also regular contributors.

LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons saw a dominant away performance go unrewarded as they lost 1-0 to Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.

Liam Boyce struck with Burton’s only real chance on goal, 20 minutes in, finishing low past Lee Nicholls after a quick counter from the hosts.

Russell Martin’s men enjoyed 71 per cent of the possession and had 19 shots on goal but weren’t able to find a way past the Brewers, who held on to secure victory.

Sunderland made it back-to-back convincing victories last weekend by beating Wycombe Wanderers 4-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Most of the action came in the first half, with Sunderland racing into a 3-0 lead inside the first 21 minutes thanks to goals from Charlie Wyke, Denver Hume and Chris Maguire.

The rout was completed in the 78th minute when Maguire grabbed his second goal direct from a free-kick.

FIGHTING TALK
Russell Martin: “Sunderland are a huge club. I was fortunate to play against them a few times. They will bring a lot of fans and that will create a great atmosphere. These are the types of games we look forward to – as players and fans.

“It will be a good game against a team who have picked up. Phil Parkinson is a really good manager who knows the league really well. He always has his teams well organised and difficult to play against.”

Phil Parkinson: "I saw [MK Dons] play at Burton and I thought they were very unlucky not to get something from the game. They dominated it for long periods, they've got some good players.

“They have got the ability to raise their game but if we can reproduce our performance level of late we have a great chance of coming back with a positive result. We've got 4,000 plus fans coming down, and we've got to treat it like it's a home game.”

TEAM NEWS
Louis Thompson is eligible to make his MK Dons debut after arriving on loan from Norwich City earlier this week.

He comes into a side which is in relatively good health, with no apparent injury concerns for Russell Martin to deal with heading into this afternoon's match at Stadium MK.

Sunderland may also hand out a debut today, with new signing, striker Kyle Lafferty, in the squad for their visit to Milton Keynes.

Ex-Don Tom Flanagan (pictured above) was forced off at half-time last weekend but the centre-back expected to return in time to face his former club. Midfielder Elliot Embleton won’t feature, however, as he continues to rehab a hamstring injury.

OFFICIALS
Ben Toner will be the man in the middle today.

The Lancashire official has taken charge of 21 games this term and has produced 57 yellow cards. He has shown just two red cards but has awarded seven penalties.

ben toner 800.jpg

He refereed the Dons’ 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon earlier this season – a day where he didn’t brandish a single card.

His assistant referees are Carl Fitch-Jackson and Leigh Crowhurst while the fourth official is Paul Kelly.

HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 0
Dons wins at Stadium MK: N/A
Last Dons win: N/A
Biggest Dons win: N/A

Draws: 0
Draws at Stadium MK: N/A
Last draw: N/A

Sunderland wins: 3
Sunderland wins at Stadium MK: 1
Last Sunderland win: 2-1, 28 Sep 19 (Stadium of Light)
Biggest Sunderland win: 4-2, 27 Aug 13 (Stadium of Light)

SKY BET ODDS
Dons win: 13/5
Draw: 23/10
Sunderland win: EVENS

Click HERE for more Sky Bet odds!

ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
Accrington Stanley v Southend United
AFC Wimbledon v Peterborough United
Bolton Wanderers v Portsmouth
Doncaster Rovers v Coventry City
Fleetwood Town v Shrewsbury Town
Gillingham v Oxford United
Lincoln City v Blackpool
Rotherham United v Bristol Rovers
Tranmere Rovers v Ipswich Town
Wycombe Wanderers v Rochdale

FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets for today's match are priced at £22 adults, £17 seniors and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with an accompanying adult. Supporters can upgrade to premium seats in the East Centre for a £5 premium while an upgrade to clubRed is just £10 more.

To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.

Can't make it? Not to worry, you can listen to live commentary on iFollow MK Dons for just £2.50 - click HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass!

Supporters can also stay in touch with the action via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 1pm.

There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!

A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle along with full reaction from Russell Martin and a player. Highlights will be available three hours after full-time.

Match Reports

Report: MK Dons 0-1 Sunderland

Gooch's stunner wins it for Sunderland...

18 January 2020

Lynden Gooch’s stunning late strike saw Sunderland beat MK Dons 1-0 at Stadium MK and inflict a first home defeat in four on Russell Martin’s men.

It was a game of two halves between two in-form sides and while the Dons edged the first period, it was Sunderland who controlled the second and they won the match with 11 minutes to play thanks to an excellent curling finish from Gooch.

Defeat sees the Dons drop down to 20th in the Sky Bet League One table but they still remain three points clear of the bottom three.

Boss Martin had originally named an unchanged starting XI but was forced into an alteration before kick-off, with David Kasumu having to come into the side to replace Alex Gilbey. Baily Cargill took his place on the bench, alongside new signing Louis Thompson.

An entertaining start to the bench saw Lee Nicholls forced to gather a long throw into the area by Luke O’Nien, and Callum Brittain work his way into the Sunderland box only to be dispossessed at the crucial moment.

The first real shot of the match arrived on seven minutes from the right boot of Chris Maguire, who fired over from 25-yards out. The visitors went even closer five minutes later, with Alim Ozturk failing to convert from close-range after O’Nien’s header made it across the face of the MK Dons goal.

At the other end, Conor McGrandles had a shot blocked behind for a corner after being picked out by Brittain.

Their best chance of the opening first 23 minutes came, though, after Morris latched onto a McGrandles through pass. He picked out Rhys Healey, who carried the ball deep into the box before having a right-footed shot deflected wide of the post by Jon McLaughlin.

Healey was at it again, on the half-hour, but this time he couldn’t get this shot through a crowd of Sunderland shirts in the box. Neither could Joe Mason, with a volley, moments later.

Kasumu also had an attempt blocked with two minutes remaining in the half, following an extended spell of possession from the Dons inside the Sunderland half.

The scores remained goalless through to the half but the visitors went about changing that early in the second period and it took a last-ditch block to prevent O’Nien from doing so from a low cross to the back post.

Maguire then fired over while Morris had the Dons’ first chance of the second half with a shot on the turn which was blocked.

Sunderland, however, should have broken the deadlock on 50 minutes but goal-line blocks from Brittain and then Williams denied both Lynden Gooch and Wyke respectively. O’Nien drilled wide of the target from the resulting corner.

The Dons responded well and started to wrestle back control of the contest. Their visitors, though, came forward once again and it took a fantastic diving save from Nicholls to keep out Maguire’s goal-bound free-kick shortly before the hour.

On 63 minutes, Healey tested McLaughlin for the first time since the re-start – his first-time curling effort was a comfortable one for the Sunderland stopper. Martin then made his first substitution of the game – replacing Kasumu with debutant Louis Thompson in midfield.

Seconds after his introduction, Sunderland threatened again with O’Nien heading into the side netting from a deep Maguire free-kick. Moments later, at the other end, Dean Lewington fired just wide with a fierce left-footed strike.

Thompson was involved at the opposite end six minute later but he wasn’t able to navigate his shot past Sunderland defenders gathering on the edge of the box. His tackle shortly after led to another attack, which resulted in McLaughlin gathering a low cross just ahead of Healey.

Ben Gladwin was the Dons’ second arrival from the bench – he came on with 17 minutes to play in place of McGrandles. One of Sunderland’s substitutes, Kyle Lafferty, almost had an instant impact for the visitors, but he looped a shot over from the edge of the D.

With their next attempt, the Black Cats took the lead and it was Gooch that did so – curling home an unstoppable strike from 25-yards out and leaving little room for Nicholls to keep it out. 0-1.

Martin went straight to his bench and brought Sam Nombe on to replace Morris in attack – his final roll of the dice. His side went close soon after but Walsh wasn’t able to connect with Lewington’s in-swinging corner.

Sunderland should have doubled their lead with seven minutes to play but an un-marked Ozturk somehow failed to hit the target with a diving header, eight yards from goal.

Four minutes were added on at the end of regulation and stoppage time stared with successive MK Dons corners which Sunderland dealt with.

Martin's men had several other set pieces but weren't able to make them count - Williams with the last chance, sending a header wide of the left upright.

 MK Dons: Nicholls, Williams, Lewington (c), Walsh, Healey, McGrandles (Gladwin 73), Mason, Morris (Nombe 81), Houghton, Brittain, Kasumu (Thompson 64).

Subs: Moore, Poole, Cargill, Moore-Taylor.

Booked: Kasumu, Healey

Sunderland: J McLaughlin, Lynch, Willis, Ozturk, Power (c), Maguire, Wyke (Lafferty 77), Gooch, O’Nien, Dobson, Hume.

Subs: Burge, C McLaughlin, McNulty, Flanagan, Watmore, Leadbitter.

Goal: Gooch (79)

Booked: Dobson, Ozturk, Maguire

 Referee: B Toner

Attendance: 13,327 (4,436 away)

Ticket News

Sunderland tickets - secure your seats for Stadium MK clash!

Ticket information for the upcoming Sky Bet League One fixture...

1 January 2020

Secure your tickets for MK Dons' next Sky Bet League One fixture at Stadium MK - their eagerly-anticipated clash with Sunderland

Russell Martin's men face the Black Cats on Saturday 18 January, looking to secure their fourth straight home sucess. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Tickets are priced at £22 adults, £17 seniors and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with an accompanying adult.

Supporters can upgrade to premium seats in the East Centre for a £5 premium while an upgrade to clubRed is just £10 more.

Club Dons members are entitled to £5 discount on the matchday price for 10 EFL games while Young Dons members can take advantage of a £1 discount on prices - why not use that discount for today's match?

To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.

Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off from the Box Office. Tickets will go off sale online at 12pm on the day of the game. Tickets can also be bought from cash-only ticket booths around Stadium MK from 1pm on the day of the game.

Full ticket details:
PRICES
Family Area, Standard Corner, Cowshed, East Wing, MK1
Adults: £22
Over-65s: £17
Under-18s: £7
Under-12s: FREE*
*Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of three U12s per paying adult.

East Centre
Adults: £27
Over-65s: £22
Under-18s: £12
Under-12s: FREE*
*Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of three U12s per paying adult.

clubRed
Adults: £32
Over-65s: £27
Under-18s: £17
Under-12s: FREE*
*Under-12s go FREE with a clubRed Young Dons membership. Maximum of three U12s per paying adult.

SUPPORTERS WITH A DISABILITY
Supporters with a disability pay as age applicable and are entitled to a FREE personal assistant.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Season Ticket holders are entitled to a FREE upgrade to clubRed for one EFL match during the 2019/20 season. Premier Season Ticket holders are also entitled to a £20 upgrade to clubGold or a £50 upgrade to clubPlatinum for one EFL match during the 2019/20 season.

clubRed Season Ticket holders are entitled to a £20 upgrade to clubGold or a £50 upgrade to clubPlatinum for one EFL match during the 2019/20 season.

Season Ticket holders are also able to bring a friend for FREE to one EFL match during the 2019/20 season. Premier Season Ticket holders can bring a friend for FREE twice while clubGold can bring a friend for £20 to one EFL match during the 2019/20 season.

MEMBERS
Club Dons members are entitled to a £5 discount on their match ticket for 10 EFL games during the 2019/20 season. Young Dons members (18-13) are entitled to a £1 discount on all 2019/20 EFL matches.

PARKING
Car parking at Stadium MK is priced at £7.

To book click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.

Disabled parking requests should be emailed to customer.services@mkdons.com.

iFOLLOW MK DONS
Can't make the game? Supporters will be able to listen to this match on iFollow MK Dons for just £2.50 - click HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass!

BUY
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.

Milton Keynes Dons

Standings

Preview: Sunderland

Red Dot Interview: Carlton Morris

Houghton: We need to make the most of home matches

Martin’s Dons remain upbeat

In numbers: Sunderland

Report: MK Dons 0-1 Sunderland

Red Dot Interview: Carlton Morris

Houghton: We need to make the most of home matches

Martin’s Dons remain upbeat

In numbers: Sunderland

Sunderland tickets - secure your seats for Stadium MK clash!

Standings

Fixture News

Red Dot Interview: Carlton Morris

Houghton: We need to make the most of home matches

Martin’s Dons remain upbeat

In numbers: Sunderland

Fixture News

Red Dot Interview: Carlton Morris

Houghton: We need to make the most of home matches

Martin’s Dons remain upbeat

In numbers: Sunderland