The Dons will be looking to build on Saturday’s point at Deepdale when they face Sheffield Wednesday tonight.
Karl Robinson’s side travel to Yorkshire knowing they may need to pick up a positive result to keep their Sky Bet Championship survival hopes alive.
Should the men from MK1 lose this evening and the four teams above them avoid defeat then relegation to League 1 will be confirmed.
However, by the same token, a victory at Hillsborough and results going their way elsewhere could see them close the gap to six points with three to play and certainly put the pressure on their rivals above.
Tonight is the Dons’ final midweek fixture of the campaign and they’ll be looking to end on a positive by continuing their good form – Robinson’s men have lost just twice in their last eight Tuesday night matches.
THE OPPOSITION
Sheff Wed are on course to finish in the Championship play-off places and give themselves a chance of returning to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.
The Owls occupy sixth-place in the table, five points clear of Cardiff City with only four games remaining in the season – a victory tonight and a defeat for the Bluebirds would all-but secure that top-six finish.
A large reason for the success this season under Carlos Carvalhal is the home form, which has seen Wednesday collect 43 points from 21 games at Hillsborough – they’ve also only lost twice.
On their own patch, the Yorkshire outfit have scored 39 goals which is more than anybody else in the Championship while their 17 goals conceded is also an impressive stat.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons played out an eventful 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale last weekend – a game which will be fondly remembered for an incident involving Alex Revell.
Robinson’s side trailed to a sixth minute goal from Jermaine Beckford but pulled level in the second half through Nicky Maynard’s sixth goal of the campaign.
The drama, though, began when Cody Cropper was shown a straight red card for a foul on Eoin Doyle in the box. Without any substitutes left, striker Revell was forced in goal and, in bizarre fashion, saved the resulting penalty to help to see out a point for his side.
Should the men from MK1 lose this evening and the four teams above them avoid defeat then relegation to League 1 will be confirmed.
However, by the same token, a victory at Hillsborough and results going their way elsewhere could see them close the gap to six points with three to play and certainly put the pressure on their rivals above.
Tonight is the Dons’ final midweek fixture of the campaign and they’ll be looking to end on a positive by continuing their good form – Robinson’s men have lost just twice in their last eight Tuesday night matches.
THE OPPOSITION
Sheff Wed are on course to finish in the Championship play-off places and give themselves a chance of returning to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.
The Owls occupy sixth-place in the table, five points clear of Cardiff City with only four games remaining in the season – a victory tonight and a defeat for the Bluebirds would all-but secure that top-six finish.
A large reason for the success this season under Carlos Carvalhal is the home form, which has seen Wednesday collect 43 points from 21 games at Hillsborough – they’ve also only lost twice.
On their own patch, the Yorkshire outfit have scored 39 goals which is more than anybody else in the Championship while their 17 goals conceded is also an impressive stat.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons played out an eventful 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale last weekend – a game which will be fondly remembered for an incident involving Alex Revell.
Robinson’s side trailed to a sixth minute goal from Jermaine Beckford but pulled level in the second half through Nicky Maynard’s sixth goal of the campaign.
The drama, though, began when Cody Cropper was shown a straight red card for a foul on Eoin Doyle in the box. Without any substitutes left, striker Revell was forced in goal and, in bizarre fashion, saved the resulting penalty to help to see out a point for his side.
Ipswich equalised against the run if play through 16-year-old Andre Dozzell but it wasn’t enough for the Tractor Boys to close the gap on their play-off rivals Wednesday.
The Owls survived an early scare from Freddie Sears but then took the lead through Fernando Forestieri, who latched onto a Ross Wallace pass before finishing cooly.
Sheff Wed were also involved in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, as they shared the points with Ipswich Town.
“The (Sheff Wed fans) have got a team they would have enjoyed watching this year. We hope we can go there and frustrate them but they’ve got some Premier League players littered all over the pitch.”
Karl Robinson: “We’re going there knowing we can’t get beat and Hillsborough is a tough place to avoid that. It’s a very special place and one of the biggest grounds in the league.
FIGHTING TALK
) mkstadium Last Dons win: 2-1, 15 Dec 2015 (
Dons wins at Hillsborough: 1
Dons wins: 2
HEAD TO HEAD
His two assistant referees tonight will be Shaun Hudson and Karl Evans while the fourth official is Darren Handley.
The Merseyside official has shown booked 141 players in 35 games this campaign, but has only produced four red cards.
Peter Bankes is the man in the middle tonight, meaning he will take charge of the Dons for the second time this season.
REFEREE
Ben Reeves (calf), David Martin (hand) and Rob Hall (knee) are long-term absentees.
As well as the goalkeeper issues, the men from MK1 will be without George Baldock (hip) and Jake Forster-Caskey (groin) tonight.
If Cropper can’t feature tonight, then Robinson will have to run the rule over Charlie Burns, who is struggling with a back injury. Should both goalkeepers be out, then the men from MK1 may be forced to bring in a replacement on a 7-day emergency loan.
The Dons are waiting to discover whether their appeal for the red card shown to Cody Cropper has been successful.
TEAM NEWS
"We try to win every game and we have another opportunity on Tuesday to get three points.”
Lucas Joao: “We are working hard to achieve big things this season and the most important is that we do our best. Our team doesn't give up. We work hard and we just need to keep focusing on our objectives.
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 5pm.
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MATCH COVERAGE
Reading v Hull City, 8pm
Bolton Wanderers v Charlton Athletic, 8pm
Rotherham United v Huddersfield Town, 7.45pm
Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers, 7.45pm
Leeds United v Wolves, 7.45pm
Ipswich Town v Fulham, 7.45pm
Burnley v Middlesbrough, 7.45pm
Bristol City v Derby County, 7.45pm
Brighton & Hove Albion v Queens Park Rangers, 7.45pm
Brentford v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Birmingham City v Preston North End, 7.45pm
Tuesday
ELSEWHERE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
for more betting options for tonight’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: 5/1
Josh Murphy: 9/2
Dean Bowditch: 4/1
Nicky Maynard: 7/2
Alex Revell: 100/30
First Dons goalscorer
Dons win: 13/2
Draw: 100/30
Sheff Wed win: 4/9
Result
SKY BET ODDS
Last draw: 0-0, 5 Jan 2013 (Hillsborough)
Draws at Hillsborough: 3
Draws: 5
Last Sheff Wed win: 3-1, 10 Sep 2011 (Hillsborough)
Sheff Wed wins at Hillsborough: 1
Sheff Wed wins: 2 Tickets for the clash with Sheffield Wednesday can be bought at the turnstiles tonight - tickets are priced at £30 adults, £20 seniors, £10 under-17s and £5 under-8s.
