The Dons face Rotherham United this afternoon in a crunch clash which will have a substantial effect on their chances of securing Sky Bet Championship survival.
Karl Robinson’s side are currently six points adrift of the Millers with as many games left to play, but they’ll be hoping to have cut that deficit in half by 5pm and, in turn, give themselves a fighting chance of remaining in the second tier in 2016/17.
In order to reduce that gap, they’ll have to continue their good run over the Millers – in seven previous meetings between the two clubs, the men from MK1 have never lost, winning three times.
The Dons will love to make it a fourth win today and if they do come out on top then they’ll also move on to 10 in total for the season – a respectable return for a side playing at this level for the very first time.
THE OPPOSITION
Rotherham arrive at stadiummk as the most in-form team in the Championship over the last six games.
Since ending a run of eight matches without a win, the Millers have won five times and drawn twice – an incredible stretch which has seen them tally 17 points and climb out of the bottom three at the Dons’ expense.
During their terrific recent spell, Neil Warnock’s side have scored 11 goals, with six of those coming courtesy of their striker pair of Matt Derbyshire and Leon Best.
They’ve also only conceded six times over their last seven games, keeping three clean sheets in process – two of which came on the road.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons were beaten by two second-half goals from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening at stadiummk.
Robinson’s men took the lead after just six minutes when Nicky Maynard turned home a cross from Carl Baker but George Saville pulled his side level with a header after the break.
James Henry set up Saville’s equaliser and he then provided the ball for Jack Price to win it for Wolves on 66 minutes.
In order to reduce that gap, they’ll have to continue their good run over the Millers – in seven previous meetings between the two clubs, the men from MK1 have never lost, winning three times.
The Dons will love to make it a fourth win today and if they do come out on top then they’ll also move on to 10 in total for the season – a respectable return for a side playing at this level for the very first time.
THE OPPOSITION
Rotherham arrive at stadiummk as the most in-form team in the Championship over the last six games.
Since ending a run of eight matches without a win, the Millers have won five times and drawn twice – an incredible stretch which has seen them tally 17 points and climb out of the bottom three at the Dons’ expense.
During their terrific recent spell, Neil Warnock’s side have scored 11 goals, with six of those coming courtesy of their striker pair of Matt Derbyshire and Leon Best.
They’ve also only conceded six times over their last seven games, keeping three clean sheets in process – two of which came on the road.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons were beaten by two second-half goals from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening at stadiummk.
Robinson’s men took the lead after just six minutes when Nicky Maynard turned home a cross from Carl Baker but George Saville pulled his side level with a header after the break.
James Henry set up Saville’s equaliser and he then provided the ball for Jack Price to win it for Wolves on 66 minutes.
Camp also made a save late on to deny Odemwingie and secure a point for the Millers.
Lee Camp then denied Robins’ Aden Flint to keep his team ahead but the Bristol outfit were able to equalise in the second half through Peter Odemwingie.
Matt Derbyshire opened the scoring in the match at Ashton Gate with a lobbed finish over Richard O’Donnell.
Rotherham extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.
“If people want to see the gap as nine points after Saturday, it could quiet easily be three with 15 points still to get. It sounds better and I can assure you it’ll be easier.”
Karl Robinson: “We know Saturday has the potential to determine what we’re doing next year. Talk is cheap now, it’s about what we do on the pitch – everything goes into the bin because this is about guts, determination and desire.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
Last Dons win: 4-1, 8 Aug 2015 (AESSEAL New York Stadium)
: 1 mkstadium Dons wins at
Dons wins: 3
HEAD TO HEAD
Williamson’s two assistant referees will be John Busby and Timothy Wood while the fourth official is Keith Hill.
The Berkshire official has marshalled 31 games and booked 113 players. In those 31 matches, he has sent off six players.
Iain Williamson will take charge of the Dons for the second time this season – he refereed the Dons’ Boxing Day victory over Cardiff City.
REFEREE
His defensive partner Lloyd Doyley is unlikely to feature, however, with a knee injury.
Rotherham’s Greg Halford suffered whiplash in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City and will be monitored ahead of this game.
Kyle McFadzean will be back next weekend but serves the final match of his three-game suspension this afternoon.
David Martin (hand) and Rob Hall (knee) are both out for the season while Ben Reeves (calf) is still sidelined.
The Dons have no fresh injury concerns ahead of today's crunch clash although they will still be without some of their key players.
TEAM NEWS
“Clearly all the pressure now really is on MK Dons and they have to do something but we will pay full respect to them because the job (Karl Robinson) has done there in the last five or so years hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Kevin Blackwell: “The importance of this game is massive but it’s not as big as it could have been and that’s a big thing for us. If we lose, it’s not the end of the world for us, and what a massive change that is.
Last draw: 2-2, 26 Apr 2014 (AESSEAL New York Stadium)
: 1 mkstadium Draws at
Draws: 4
Last Rotherham win: N/A
: mkstadium Rotherham wins at
Rotherham wins: 0
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
@MKDonsFC can also follow every pass, tackle, shot and goal by following the Club’s official page - Twitter Those on
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.
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MATCH COVERAGE
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers; 3pm
Reading v Birmingham City; 3pm
Queens Park Rangers v Charlton Athletic; 3pm
Middlesbrough v Preston North End; 3pm
Ipswich Town v Brentford; 3pm
Huddersfield Town v Hull City; 3pm
Fulham v Cardiff City; 3pm
Derby County v Bolton Wanderers; 3pm
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday; 3pm
Burnley v Leeds United; 12.30pm
Saturday
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
Rotherham win: 2/1
Draw: 23/10
Dons win: 11/8
Result
SKY BET ODDS To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets for today's important clash with Rotherham are priced from £25 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership.Tickets can also be bought from the cash only booths around stadiummk right up until kick-off.
