MK Dons will be in search of their first home win of the campaign when they entertain Peterborough United at Stadium MK this afternoon.
Karl Robinson’s side have won both of their away fixtures so far this season – the latter of which came last weekend at Rochdale where a 95th-minute header from Scott Wootton earned the men from MK1 all three points.
However, the Dons have taken just one point from their opening two league matches at Stadium MK so they will, no doubt, be eager to add their current overall total of seven when they host rivals Posh today.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Posh will be looking to get back to winning ways on the weekend, following back-to-back defeats in League One and the EFL Cup.
Grant McCann’s men kicked off the season with a 3-2 win at Rochdale before thrashing promotion-hopefuls Millwall 5-1 at the ABAX Stadium just three days after losing 1-0 to Bradford City.
Since then, however, they’ve been defeated by Oxford United and Premier League side Swansea City, although in both matches they’ve managed to find the net.
The Cambridgeshire outfit are one of the leading scorers in the country currently, having bagged 13 goals in six games. They have, though, conceded 10 times.
LAST TIME OUT
A young MK Dons side bowed out of the EFL Cup at the second-round stage after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Championship outfit Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
It was the Dons who took the lead through Dean Bowditch’s second penalty in as many EFL Cup games but Reading equalised in the second half when Callum Harriott found the top right-hand corner of Lee Nicholls’ net with a stunning strike.
The Royals edged in-front in extra-time when Harriott netted his second of the night but young striker Kabongo Tshimanga sent the tie to penalties with his first goal for the Club.
In the shoot-out, neither Ben Reeves nor Samir Carruthers could convert for the Dons and as a result Robinson’s men fell to a 4-2 defeat, despite Lee Nicholls’ save from Harriott’s spot-kick.
However, the Dons have taken just one point from their opening two league matches at Stadium MK so they will, no doubt, be eager to add their current overall total of seven when they host rivals Posh today.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Posh will be looking to get back to winning ways on the weekend, following back-to-back defeats in League One and the EFL Cup.
Grant McCann’s men kicked off the season with a 3-2 win at Rochdale before thrashing promotion-hopefuls Millwall 5-1 at the ABAX Stadium just three days after losing 1-0 to Bradford City.
Since then, however, they’ve been defeated by Oxford United and Premier League side Swansea City, although in both matches they’ve managed to find the net.
The Cambridgeshire outfit are one of the leading scorers in the country currently, having bagged 13 goals in six games. They have, though, conceded 10 times.
LAST TIME OUT
A young MK Dons side bowed out of the EFL Cup at the second-round stage after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Championship outfit Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
It was the Dons who took the lead through Dean Bowditch’s second penalty in as many EFL Cup games but Reading equalised in the second half when Callum Harriott found the top right-hand corner of Lee Nicholls’ net with a stunning strike.
The Royals edged in-front in extra-time when Harriott netted his second of the night but young striker Kabongo Tshimanga sent the tie to penalties with his first goal for the Club.
In the shoot-out, neither Ben Reeves nor Samir Carruthers could convert for the Dons and as a result Robinson’s men fell to a 4-2 defeat, despite Lee Nicholls’ save from Harriott’s spot-kick.
“We have a lot of respect for them, as they have for us. Peterborough have a lot of qualities – they are aggressive out of possession and they are quick and dynamic in defence. It will be a great game of football whatever the result.”
Karl Robinson: “We know the importance of the game to our fans. We go into every game wanting to win but there is a bit more spice to this one, albeit in the stands rather than on the green stuff.
“It’s great what Karl and his club have achieved in recent seasons. I look up to Karl and respect what he achieved.”
Grant McCann: “We’ve had some good battles with them over the years – it’s always been a great game. We want to make sure we go there and get a good performance and a good result.
FIGHTING TALK
Leonardo Da Silva Lopes pulled one back for the hosts with a terrific long-range strike but McCann’s side couldn’t make up the other two goals, subsequently exiting the competition in round two.
The Premier League Swans scored inside the first quarter of an hour courtesy of Jay Fulton’s header, before Oliver McBurnie produced a two-minute brace to give his side a comfortable three-goal advantage at the break.
Posh also failed to overcome higher-ranked opposition after losing 3-1 to Swansea at the ABAX Stadium.
Last Dons win: 3-0, 21 Feb 2015 (Stadium MK)
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 5
Dons wins: 7
HEAD TO HEAD
Heywood’s assistant referees are John Law and Paul Hobday while the fourth official is Adrian Waters.
The West Yorkshire official has shown 22 yellow cards in five games so far this season but produced just one red – the solitary dismissal came on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign.
Mark Heywood will be the man in the middle for this Stadium MK bout, refereeing the Dons for the first time since April.
OFFICIALS
Centre-back Ryan Tafazolli is nearing a return to fitness but isn’t expected to play today, while midfielder Brad Inman and strike Lee Angol are long-term absentees.
Posh have defender Jack Baldwin back from suspension and goalkeeper Ben Alnwick from a hamstring injury.
Samir Carruthers, Ben Reeves and Dean Bowditch have all made successful returns from injury in recent weeks, leaving Darren Potter (hip), Kieran Agard (thigh) and Chuks Aneke (knee) as the only concerns.
The likes of Lee Nicholls, Scott Wootton and Paul Downing all impressed in the EFL Cup tie at Reading but David Martin and Joe Walsh are waiting to come back into the side.
Karl Robinson admits he has a selection headache ahead of this afternoon's contest.
TEAM NEWS
Last draw: 0-0, 20 Jan 2009 (ABAX Stadium)
Draws at Stadium MK: 1
Draws: 3
Last Posh win: 3-2, 16 Aug 2014 (ABAX Stadium)
Posh wins at Stadium MK: 2
Posh wins: 9
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MATCH COVERAGE
Walsall v Bury, KO 3pm
Southend United v Fleetwood Town, KO 3pm
Shrewsbury Town v Gillingham, KO 3pm
Sheffield United v Oxford United, KO 3pm
Rochdale v AFC Wimbledon, KO 3pm
Port Vale v Scunthorpe United, KO 3pm
Coventry City v Northampton Town, KO 3pm
Chesterfield v Millwall, KO 3pm
Charlton Athletic v Bolton Wanderers, KO 3pm
Bradford City v Oldham Athletic, KO 3pm
Swindon Town v Bristol Rovers, KO 1.30pm
Today
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE ONE
for more betting options for today’s Sky Bet League One clash - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Ben Reeves: 9/2
George C Williams: 4/1
Nicky Maynard: 11/4
Dean Bowditch: 3/1
Daniel Powell: 3/1
First Dons goalscorer
Posh win: 15/8
Draw: 12/5
Dons win: 11/8
Result
SKY BET ODDS !Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook, TwitterThere will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels –
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
, visit the Box Office or call 0333 200 5343.here To purchase tickets click
Tickets for today's clash at Stadium MK are priced from £22 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 ahead of kick-off.
