The Dons entertain Bolton Wanderers this evening, looking to returning to winning ways in the Sky Bet Championship.
Despite the loss, the men from MK1 did put in an impressive performance, limiting their visitors to only one shot on target while dominating the majority of possession, and they will be hoping a similar display tonight against Bolton will lead to a more positive result.
The opposition
Bolton made a positive start to their 2015/16 campaign, holding Derby County – many people’s favourites for promotion – to a goalless draw at the Macron Stadium despite being reduced to 10 men.
That result, however, has been followed up by back-to-back defeats, the most recent of which came this past weekend away at Middlesbrough, another side tipped to make a push for the Premier League this season.
Neil Lennon’s side are the only team in the Championship yet to score this season but with a frontline that includes the likes of Emile Heskey, Gary Madine and young starlet Zach Clough, they will have confidence in turning that around sooner rather than later.
Views from the dugouts
Karl Robinson, speaking to MK Dons PlayerHD: “They’ve played arguably two of the best teams in the league so it’s a little bit unfair to judge them right away. They’ll be coming here with confidence from their second half performance against Middlesbrough and the 90 minutes against Derby.
“We know we’re going to be under an awful lot of pressure because of the intensity that Neil’s side’s play with. They have a real and ability to go and regain the football and they’ve got players at the top end of the pitch that will hurt you as well.”
Neil Lennon, speaking to the media: “MK Dons are a good side, particularly at home where they’ve got goals in them. We’ll have to be very wary of that but it’s a game we can get something out of, for sure.
“MK Dons is a game that’s winnable but it’s one you can lose as well. There are no free rides in this league.”
Team news
The Dons will be without winger Rob Hall, who is ineligible for the clash due to the terms of his loan deal from Bolton.
Manager Robinson also revealed that a couple of his players have picked up injuries but wouldn’t be drawn on names.
Mark Randall is a definite absentee, however, as he continues his rehabilitation.
Bolton, meanwhile, are expected to start forward Zach Clough after he was limited to only a substitute appearance on the weekend, while Gary Madine will have a late fitness test.
Striker Max Clayton won’t feature, though, as he has a knee injury. Derik Osede (ankle), David Wheater (calf) and Darren Pratley (ankle) are also unavailable.
Betting
Sky Bet
Result:
Dons win – 17/20
Draw – 13/5
Bolton win – 3/1
First goalscorer:
Sam Gallagher – 5/1
Simon Church – 5/1
Dean Bowditch – 11/2
Gary Madine – 7/1
Emile Heskey – 15/2
Zach Clough – 8/1
Scorecast:
Carl Baker to score first and MK Dons to win 2-1 – 40/1
*All odds correct at the time of writing
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Tickets for tonight's clash with Bolton are available to buy now - they are priced from £25 for adults, £17 for over-65s and under-21s*, £7 for under-18s while under-12s can go FREE with a Young Dons membership**!
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343.
**Under-12s go FREE when an accompanied by an adult and with a Young Dons Membership (maximum of two free U12s per adult)
*Under-21s must be a Club Dons member to take advantage of the reduced price