The Dons will be looking to build on two positive results when they travel to Brentford today.
Karl Robinson’s side earned a point at home to Fulham a fortnight ago before holding Wolverhampton Wanderers to a goalless draw at Molineux last weekend – a result which moved them up to 19th in the Sky Bet Championship.
The men from MK1 kept their fifth clean sheet of the season in that clash with Wolves and it’s their superior goal difference which is keeping them above Bristol City and Charlton Athletic in the table.
THE OPPOSITION
Brentford appointed Dean Smith as manager on Tuesday and they’ll be hoping he can maintain their decent form.
The Bees have won five of their last eight Sky Bet Championship matches, losing just once and drawing the other two games – three of those victories have come at Griffin Park.
They have scored 24 league goals so far in 2015/16 which is bettered by only four teams outside of the top six.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
Karl Robinson: “It’s an interesting time to go there, with a new manager going in. Everyone knows the respect I have for Dean (Smith) as both a person and as a manager.
“I went to watch them against Bolton and I’ve seen a number of clips. I love the freedom and expression in their play. They lost one of the most potent striker’s in the league but they’ve sustained a style which is as good as I’ve seen. They’ve done remarkably well.”
TEAM NEWS
A number of injured players are edging closer to a return to action but Dons boss Robinson doesn’t expect to have any available for the trip to Griffin Park.
Joe Walsh (knee), Matt Upson (calf), Dale Jennings (knee) and Simon Church (knee) could all be back in training next week while today's game is likely to come too soon for Ben Reeves, who is on his way back from a calf strain.
The option is there for Robinson to name an unchanged starting XI for the third successive match.
Brentford, meanwhile, could welcome back midfielders Jota and Josh McEachran as well as full-back Maxime Colin.
However, Marco Djuricin, Andreas Bjelland, Scott Hogan and Lewis Maclead are all sidelined and Harlee Dean is suspended.
REFEREE
Oliver Langford will be the man in the middle this afternoon, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since September 2014.
Langford has refereed 15 matches this season and brandished 34 yellow cards. He has only sent off one player, however, but awarded three penalties.
Simon Knapp and Marc Wilson will be the two assistant referees while the fourth official is Charles Breakspear.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 4
Dons wins at Griffin Park: 3
Last Dons win: 2-0, Mon 1st Apr 2013 (stadiummk)
Brentford wins: 7
Brentford wins at Griffin Park: 4
Last Brentford win: 3-1, Sun 29th Dec 2013 (Griffin Park)
Draws: 7
Draws at Griffin Park: 2
Last draw: 2-2, Mon 21st Apr 2014 (stadiummk)
SKY BET ODDS
Result
Brentford win: 17/20
Draw: 5/2
MK Dons win: 16/5
First goalscorer
Lasse Vibe: 5/1
Phillipp Hofmann: 5/1
Alan Judge: 6/1
Nicky Maynard: 15/2
Dean Bowditch: 8/1
Carl Baker: 9/1
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Click here for odds on all Sky Bet Championship outright markets - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet!
MATCH COVERAGE
Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 2.50pm for live commentary of today's clash - click here to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month!
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.
Those on Twitter can also follow every pass, tackle, shot and goal by following the Club’s official page - @MKDonsFC
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
Tickets for today's clash with Brentford for prices!hereare now only available to buy on the turnstiles at Griffin Park - click
The men from MK1 kept their fifth clean sheet of the season in that clash with Wolves and it’s their superior goal difference which is keeping them above Bristol City and Charlton Athletic in the table.
THE OPPOSITION
Brentford appointed Dean Smith as manager on Tuesday and they’ll be hoping he can maintain their decent form.
The Bees have won five of their last eight Sky Bet Championship matches, losing just once and drawing the other two games – three of those victories have come at Griffin Park.
They have scored 24 league goals so far in 2015/16 which is bettered by only four teams outside of the top six.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
Karl Robinson: “It’s an interesting time to go there, with a new manager going in. Everyone knows the respect I have for Dean (Smith) as both a person and as a manager.
“I went to watch them against Bolton and I’ve seen a number of clips. I love the freedom and expression in their play. They lost one of the most potent striker’s in the league but they’ve sustained a style which is as good as I’ve seen. They’ve done remarkably well.”
TEAM NEWS
A number of injured players are edging closer to a return to action but Dons boss Robinson doesn’t expect to have any available for the trip to Griffin Park.
Joe Walsh (knee), Matt Upson (calf), Dale Jennings (knee) and Simon Church (knee) could all be back in training next week while today's game is likely to come too soon for Ben Reeves, who is on his way back from a calf strain.
The option is there for Robinson to name an unchanged starting XI for the third successive match.
Brentford, meanwhile, could welcome back midfielders Jota and Josh McEachran as well as full-back Maxime Colin.
However, Marco Djuricin, Andreas Bjelland, Scott Hogan and Lewis Maclead are all sidelined and Harlee Dean is suspended.
REFEREE
Oliver Langford will be the man in the middle this afternoon, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since September 2014.
Langford has refereed 15 matches this season and brandished 34 yellow cards. He has only sent off one player, however, but awarded three penalties.
Simon Knapp and Marc Wilson will be the two assistant referees while the fourth official is Charles Breakspear.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 4
Dons wins at Griffin Park: 3
Last Dons win: 2-0, Mon 1st Apr 2013 (stadiummk)
Brentford wins: 7
Brentford wins at Griffin Park: 4
Last Brentford win: 3-1, Sun 29th Dec 2013 (Griffin Park)
Draws: 7
Draws at Griffin Park: 2
Last draw: 2-2, Mon 21st Apr 2014 (stadiummk)
SKY BET ODDS
Result
Brentford win: 17/20
Draw: 5/2
MK Dons win: 16/5
First goalscorer
Lasse Vibe: 5/1
Phillipp Hofmann: 5/1
Alan Judge: 6/1
Nicky Maynard: 15/2
Dean Bowditch: 8/1
Carl Baker: 9/1
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Click here for odds on all Sky Bet Championship outright markets - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet!
MATCH COVERAGE
Tune in to MK Dons PlayerHD from 2.50pm for live commentary of today's clash - click here to sign up for as little as £4.49 a month!
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.
Those on Twitter can also follow every pass, tackle, shot and goal by following the Club’s official page - @MKDonsFC
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
Tickets for today's clash with Brentford for prices!hereare now only available to buy on the turnstiles at Griffin Park - click
