In recent years MK Dons and Peterborough United have developed a fierce rivalry both on the pitch and in the terraces.
The MK Dons and Peterborough United rivalry is one that has been bubbling ever since the two sides clashed for the first time back in 2004, partly due to the close proximity between the two but mainly because of the various promotion battles and Cup fixtures which have involved both clubs.
Behind the scenes though, Dons boss Karl Robinson says the two clubs have the utmost respect for one another. From the chairmen, to the board of directors and the managers there appears to be a mutual understanding between MK Dons and Peterborough.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s big game, Robinson said: “We were at the same pre-season base camp so I watched Peterborough play in the summer twice and I had a chat with Darren Ferguson.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Darragh MacAnthony, Barry Fry, the manager and the coaching staff. Darren and his team are people I have got a lot of time for.
“Every time they’ve come into League One they’ve gone and spent money. They’ve bought really well and their recruitment side of things is phenomenal. I know how much they respect what we’re doing and there is respect from me for what they’re doing.”
Saturday’s clash will be the 15th time the two teams have met, the fourth under manager Robinson, who also took time to look back on some of the historic meetings between the two outfits.
“I’m not entirely sure where the rivalry came from” he added. “Obviously in the past you had Paul Ince and Darren Ferguson, who are both Manchester United based. There was that pulling and pushing between them two managers at the time.
“We beat them here in the play-offs in 2010 and they beat us there in the play-offs. We beat them here in the League 1-0 and I think we lost there. I’ve won every game here but lost every game there.
“Gary MacKenzie missed an open goal with the last kick of that loss there in the League, if I remember, and it was his debut. Gary then obviously scored the winner in the home game. If you look at the games in the recent past, there’s only been a one goal swing bar one game, that play-off match there.
"We went into that London Road play-off game bitter and angry that there was only a one goal advantage. I don’t think we even turned up that day. I think I’m going there with a better team. There will always some be some sort of unfinished business.”
