The Dons face a must-win situation this afternoon when they take on Brentford at stadiummk.
Karl Robinson’s side need to pick up maximum points from their clash with the Bees to stand any chance of keeping their Sky Bet Championship survival dream alive. A defeat or a draw will see relegation to League 1 confirmed.
Should the men from MK1 collect that vital victory then they’ll need to hope one of the five teams above them is beaten in order to retain a mathematical chance of climbing out of the bottom three.
Because of their inferior goal difference (-25), the only sides the Dons could realistically catch are Bristol City (-20) and Rotherham United (-13) – the Robins visit Blackburn Rovers while the Millers take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.
THE OPPOSITION
Brentford will arrive at stadiummk in terrific form and with aspirations to secure a top-10 finish.
Dean Smith’s outfit have won four of their last five matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding just four – the one game in which they didn’t win was a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
Away from home nobody has scored more goals than the Bees, who have found the net on 30 occasions thanks in part to the form of duo Alan Judge and Lasse Vibe, although the former is out for the rest of the season with a serious leg injury.
They have, however, conceded 33 times in their 20 road fixtures, which is the seventh-worst record in the division and a weakness the Dons will be looking to exploit this afternoon.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons held play-off contenders Sheffield Wednesday to a goalless draw at Hillsborough, to give themselves a fighting chance of securing Sky Bet Championship safety.
Young goalkeeper Charlie Burns made his first Football League start in the absence of the injured David Martin and suspended Cody Cropper, and made another of important saves en route to keeping a clean sheet.
At the other end, Jordan Spence went close with a couple of efforts but the Dons weren’t able to find a way through an equally stubborn Owls backline, even after they were reduced to 10 men – Ross Wallace the man sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Jonny Williams.
Should the men from MK1 collect that vital victory then they’ll need to hope one of the five teams above them is beaten in order to retain a mathematical chance of climbing out of the bottom three.
Because of their inferior goal difference (-25), the only sides the Dons could realistically catch are Bristol City (-20) and Rotherham United (-13) – the Robins visit Blackburn Rovers while the Millers take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.
THE OPPOSITION
Brentford will arrive at stadiummk in terrific form and with aspirations to secure a top-10 finish.
Dean Smith’s outfit have won four of their last five matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding just four – the one game in which they didn’t win was a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
Away from home nobody has scored more goals than the Bees, who have found the net on 30 occasions thanks in part to the form of duo Alan Judge and Lasse Vibe, although the former is out for the rest of the season with a serious leg injury.
They have, however, conceded 33 times in their 20 road fixtures, which is the seventh-worst record in the division and a weakness the Dons will be looking to exploit this afternoon.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons held play-off contenders Sheffield Wednesday to a goalless draw at Hillsborough, to give themselves a fighting chance of securing Sky Bet Championship safety.
Young goalkeeper Charlie Burns made his first Football League start in the absence of the injured David Martin and suspended Cody Cropper, and made another of important saves en route to keeping a clean sheet.
At the other end, Jordan Spence went close with a couple of efforts but the Dons weren’t able to find a way through an equally stubborn Owls backline, even after they were reduced to 10 men – Ross Wallace the man sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Jonny Williams.
Three minutes later, Hogan doubled his and Brentford’s tally after latching onto Lasse Vibe’s pass and the Bees were able to hang on in stoppage time even after Kenneth Zohore scored a late consolation.
All three goals at the Cardiff City Stadium were scored in the closing stages, with the first one coming courtesy of Scott Hogan on 83 minutes.
Brentford moved to within six points of the top-10 courtesy of a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City.
) mkstadium Last Dons win: 2-0, 1 Apr 2013 (
: 1 mkstadium Dons wins at
Dons wins: 4
HEAD TO HEAD
The Dons have scored in nine out of their last 10 league matches with Brentford – the only time they drew a blank was in the reverse fixture at Griffin Park earlier this season.
MATCH FACT
His two assistant referees will be Nick Hopton and Andrew Newbold, while the fourth official is Richard Bartlett.
In 35 games this season, Woolmer has shown 108 yellow cards but only sent off two players – he hasn’t produced a red card since January.
. mkstadium Andy Woolmer will referee today’s clash, taking charge of the Dons for the first time since September 2013 when he oversaw the 4-1 victory over Stevenage at
REFEREE
Ben Reeves has returned to light training but isn’t expected to be involved, while David Martin and Rob Hall are out for the season.
Cody Cropper is also back in contention after serving his one-match suspension but Robinson may wish to stick with Charlie Burns after his impressive full debut at Hillsborough.
George Baldock and Jake Forster-Caskey could return after boss Robinson confirmed the pair are close to recovering from their respective knocks but Samir Carruthers is a doubt after being forced off at half-time during Tuesday’s draw with Sheff Wed.
TEAM NEWS
“I have come across Karl Robinson for a number of years. I know how his teams play and I know that he will have them fighting to the end for sure.”
Dean Smith: “We all know their position in the league but we need to win football games for our own reasons. We will go out to try to win the game.”
.” mkstadium “It was a poor performance at Griffin Park, and we've got to turn it around at
Karl Robinson: “Dean Smith is a manager I have the upmost respective for but we have to win on Saturday, whatever it takes.
FIGHTING TALK
Last Brentford win: 2-0, 5 Dec 2015 (Griffin Park)
: 3 mkstadium Brentford wins at
Brentford wins: 9
) mkstadium Last draw: 2-2, 21 Apr 2014 (
: 3 mkstadium Draws at
Draws: 6
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
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MATCH COVERAGE
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Rotherham United, 3pm
Queens Park Rangers v Reading, 3pm
Middlesbrough v Ipswich Town, 3pm
Hull City v Leeds United, 3pm
Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City, 3pm
Fulham v Nottingham Forest, 3pm
Charlton Athletic v Brighton & Hove Albion, 3pm
Cardiff City v Bolton Wanderers, 3pm
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City, 3pm
Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday, 12.30pm
Saturday
Preston North End v Burnley
Friday
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
for more betting options for today's Sky Bet Championship clash - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Carl Baker: 4/1
Josh Murphy: 7/2
Dean Bowditch: 100/30
Nicky Maynard: 3/1
Alex Revell: 11/4
First Dons goalscorer
Brentford win: 6/4
Draw: 5/2
Dons win: 17/10
Result
SKY BET ODDS To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/kiosk at centre:mk or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets for today's clash with Brentford at stadiummk are priced from £25 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while under-12s can go FREE with a Young Dons Membership.Tickets can also be bought from the cash-only booths around stadiummk from 1.30pm.
