The Dons will be looking to maintain their excellent Boxing Day record when they take on Cardiff City at stadiummk today.
The men from MK1 have won seven of their last eight Boxing Day games, scoring a total of 16 goals and conceding just three.
As well as their record on the season’s traditional festive fixture, Karl Robinson’s men are also in a good form at stadiummk and have taken 10 points from their last six matches in Milton Keynes.
What’s more, the Dons were victorious when they faced Cardiff earlier in the season in the second round of the Capital One Cup – that evening a Josh Murphy goal secured a 2-1 victory.
THE OPPOSITION
Cardiff are one point behind the play-off places in the Sky Bet Championship and have lost just once in their last five league outings.
Since the start of November, the Bluebirds have taken points off the likes of Burnley, Reading and Brentford – beating the latter two and scored more than one goal in all-but two of their games.
They have, though, enjoyed little success away from home, winning just twice in 11 road games and netting only 10 times.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
Karl Robinson: “We know all about Cardiff and their strengths having faced them in the Capital One Cup earlier this season. We know we are going to have to be at our best to come away with what we always aim for – a positive result.”
Cardiff assistant manager Scott Young: “Any game in the Championship, especially when you’re going away from home, is tough. They’ve got some great results of late. We’re going to go there with the same mentality as we did going to Birmingham (City) – to go at them and try to score goals.”
TEAM NEWS
The Dons have no fresh injury concerns but with two games in the space of just two days, Robinson could look to make changes.
Josh Murphy came off the bench to score in last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest so could be recalled into the starting line-up, while the likes of Diego Poyet, Carl Baker and Daniel Powell will all be hopeful of featuring from the off over Christmas.
Dale Jennings (knee) and Matt Upson (calf) remain absent.
Cardiff will be without defender Sean Morrison, who has picked up a knee injury.
The Bluebirds did plan on replacing the centre-back with Ben Turner but he injured himself while playing on loan at Coventry City.
REFEREE
Iain Williamson will referee his 18th game of the 2015/16 season this afternoon, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since October 2013.
So far this campaign, Williamson has shown 68 yellow cards and sent off five players, while he has awarded only one penalty.
The two assistant referees will be Antony Coggins and Guy Stretton and the fourth official is Joe Clark.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 1
Dons wins at stadiummk: 1
Last Dons win: 2-1, 25th Aug 2015 (stadiummk)
Cardiff wins: 2
Cardiff wins at stadiummk: 1
Last Cardiff win: 2-1, 26th Aug 2008 (stadiummk)
Draws: 0
Draws at stadiummk: 0
Last draw: N/A
SKY BET ODDS
Result
Dons win: 19/10
Draw: 2/1
Cardiff win: 7/4
First goalscorer
Kenwyne Jones: 11/2
Nicky Maynard: 6/1
Joe Mason: 6/1
Tony Watt: 13/2
Dean Bowditch: 7/1
Rob Hall: 17/2
*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 today for live commentary of the 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 on Saturday.
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 the today's clash with Cardiff City will be available to buy right up until kick-off, priced from £25 adults, £17 senior/under-21s and £7 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.
As well as their record on the season’s traditional festive fixture, Karl Robinson’s men are also in a good form at stadiummk and have taken 10 points from their last six matches in Milton Keynes.
What’s more, the Dons were victorious when they faced Cardiff earlier in the season in the second round of the Capital One Cup – that evening a Josh Murphy goal secured a 2-1 victory.
THE OPPOSITION
Cardiff are one point behind the play-off places in the Sky Bet Championship and have lost just once in their last five league outings.
Since the start of November, the Bluebirds have taken points off the likes of Burnley, Reading and Brentford – beating the latter two and scored more than one goal in all-but two of their games.
They have, though, enjoyed little success away from home, winning just twice in 11 road games and netting only 10 times.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
Karl Robinson: “We know all about Cardiff and their strengths having faced them in the Capital One Cup earlier this season. We know we are going to have to be at our best to come away with what we always aim for – a positive result.”
Cardiff assistant manager Scott Young: “Any game in the Championship, especially when you’re going away from home, is tough. They’ve got some great results of late. We’re going to go there with the same mentality as we did going to Birmingham (City) – to go at them and try to score goals.”
TEAM NEWS
The Dons have no fresh injury concerns but with two games in the space of just two days, Robinson could look to make changes.
Josh Murphy came off the bench to score in last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest so could be recalled into the starting line-up, while the likes of Diego Poyet, Carl Baker and Daniel Powell will all be hopeful of featuring from the off over Christmas.
Dale Jennings (knee) and Matt Upson (calf) remain absent.
Cardiff will be without defender Sean Morrison, who has picked up a knee injury.
The Bluebirds did plan on replacing the centre-back with Ben Turner but he injured himself while playing on loan at Coventry City.
REFEREE
Iain Williamson will referee his 18th game of the 2015/16 season this afternoon, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since October 2013.
So far this campaign, Williamson has shown 68 yellow cards and sent off five players, while he has awarded only one penalty.
The two assistant referees will be Antony Coggins and Guy Stretton and the fourth official is Joe Clark.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 1
Dons wins at stadiummk: 1
Last Dons win: 2-1, 25th Aug 2015 (stadiummk)
Cardiff wins: 2
Cardiff wins at stadiummk: 1
Last Cardiff win: 2-1, 26th Aug 2008 (stadiummk)
Draws: 0
Draws at stadiummk: 0
Last draw: N/A
SKY BET ODDS
Result
Dons win: 19/10
Draw: 2/1
Cardiff win: 7/4
First goalscorer
Kenwyne Jones: 11/2
Nicky Maynard: 6/1
Joe Mason: 6/1
Tony Watt: 13/2
Dean Bowditch: 7/1
Rob Hall: 17/2
*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 today for live commentary of the 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 on Saturday.
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 the today's clash with Cardiff City will be available to buy right up until kick-off, priced from £25 adults, £17 senior/under-21s and £7 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.
