The Dons and Chesterfield replay their FA Cup second-round tie tonight at stadiummk.
Karl Robinson’s side go head-to-head with the Spireites once again after the FA ordered the clash to replayed after the latter fielded an ineligible player in the original fixture.
That match, back in December, finished 1-0 to the Derbyshire outfit courtesy of an Armand Gnanduillet header in the second half – a defeat which, at the time, was the Dons’ first in seven.
The winners of tonight’s contest will travel to Scunthorpe United in the third round.
The opposition
Since their visit to Milton Keynes early last month, Chesterfield have won two, drawn one and lost one – the solitary defeat coming away at Bradford City.
The Spireites are 12 points behind the Dons in terms of league standings but will be confident ahead of their trip following their 1-0 win in the original fixture.
Paul Cook’s men are also unbeaten in their last six away outings, a run in which they’ve scored 11 goals and conceded just three.
View from the dugouts
Karl Robinson, speaking to Dons Player: “We’re concentrating on the league and we have to make sure we get this run of games right because Crawley is our priority.
“We’ll try and win the game, though, and the players will conduct themselves probably because that’s what they do.
“We have to respect the FA because they’re the governing body and this is what they’ve chosen to do.”
Paul Cook, speaking to chesterfield-fc.co.uk: “It's a professional game and we must concentrate on going down there to win the game.
"Our supporters are in good form at the minute and that's off the back of what we've done to please them and long may that continue.
“I think anyone that knows MK Dons knows what a good squad they've got and what a formidable team they are - and their league position says that. Whatever team they put out we'll have our hands full.”
Team news
Dons boss Robinson has already confirmed that he will make five changes to his side for tonight’s tie, with George Baldock, Mark Randall, Danny Green, Daniel Powell and Benik Afobe all coming in to the starting XI.
Quintet Antony Kay, Dele Alli, Carl Baker, Samir Carruthers and Will Grigg will make way, with Alli being rested completely.
Lee Hodson (ankle) and Ben Reeves (hamstring) remain doubts.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, will have Sam Morsy back available for selection after the midfielder served his suspension.
Jimmy Ryan is ‘touch-and-go’ with a thigh complaint but otherwise the Spireites boast a clean bill of health.
Head to head
Tonight will be the third time the side’s have played each other already this campaign, following the league clash at Proact Stadium back in August and the original second-round tie between the two teams last month.
In 10 previous meetings, the men from MK1 have come out on top on four occasions, including that slender win earlier this campaign, while the Spireites have only ever won twice. There have been four draws.
Can’t make it to the game?
MK Dons Player will be providing live commentary from MK1 - click here to sign up for the equivalent of 10p per day!
Alternatively, supporters can follow all the action, as it happens, via the matchday blog which can be found on the MK Dons Wall or on Twitter.
A full match report, along with reaction, highlights and pictures, will be available on mkdons.com following the match.
That match, back in December, finished 1-0 to the Derbyshire outfit courtesy of an Armand Gnanduillet header in the second half – a defeat which, at the time, was the Dons’ first in seven.
The winners of tonight’s contest will travel to Scunthorpe United in the third round.
The opposition
Since their visit to Milton Keynes early last month, Chesterfield have won two, drawn one and lost one – the solitary defeat coming away at Bradford City.
The Spireites are 12 points behind the Dons in terms of league standings but will be confident ahead of their trip following their 1-0 win in the original fixture.
Paul Cook’s men are also unbeaten in their last six away outings, a run in which they’ve scored 11 goals and conceded just three.
View from the dugouts
Karl Robinson, speaking to Dons Player: “We’re concentrating on the league and we have to make sure we get this run of games right because Crawley is our priority.
“We’ll try and win the game, though, and the players will conduct themselves probably because that’s what they do.
“We have to respect the FA because they’re the governing body and this is what they’ve chosen to do.”
Paul Cook, speaking to chesterfield-fc.co.uk: “It's a professional game and we must concentrate on going down there to win the game.
"Our supporters are in good form at the minute and that's off the back of what we've done to please them and long may that continue.
“I think anyone that knows MK Dons knows what a good squad they've got and what a formidable team they are - and their league position says that. Whatever team they put out we'll have our hands full.”
Team news
Dons boss Robinson has already confirmed that he will make five changes to his side for tonight’s tie, with George Baldock, Mark Randall, Danny Green, Daniel Powell and Benik Afobe all coming in to the starting XI.
Quintet Antony Kay, Dele Alli, Carl Baker, Samir Carruthers and Will Grigg will make way, with Alli being rested completely.
Lee Hodson (ankle) and Ben Reeves (hamstring) remain doubts.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, will have Sam Morsy back available for selection after the midfielder served his suspension.
Jimmy Ryan is ‘touch-and-go’ with a thigh complaint but otherwise the Spireites boast a clean bill of health.
Head to head
Tonight will be the third time the side’s have played each other already this campaign, following the league clash at Proact Stadium back in August and the original second-round tie between the two teams last month.
In 10 previous meetings, the men from MK1 have come out on top on four occasions, including that slender win earlier this campaign, while the Spireites have only ever won twice. There have been four draws.
Can’t make it to the game?
MK Dons Player will be providing live commentary from MK1 - click here to sign up for the equivalent of 10p per day!
Alternatively, supporters can follow all the action, as it happens, via the matchday blog which can be found on the MK Dons Wall or on Twitter.
A full match report, along with reaction, highlights and pictures, will be available on mkdons.com following the match.
