The Dons make their first visit to Ewood Park this afternoon looking to increase their six-point gap above the bottom three when they take on Blackburn Rovers.
Karl Robinson’s side moved two wins clear of 22nd-placed Rotherham United with a 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, although they came within minutes of a victory as Nahki Wells grabbed an 86th-minute equaliser to cancel out Alex Revell’s opener.
Since the turn of the year, the men from MK1’s form on the road has been solid. Aside from a disappointing defeat to Bolton Wanderers, they have held Leeds United and Cardiff City to draws and beat Derby County 1-0 – their most recent road fixture.
THE OPPOSITION
Blackburn have struggled for consistency since the start of 2016 and currently sit two places and two points above the Dons in the Sky Bet Championship table, although they have played two games less.
The Rovers have won once in the league since the 11th December – a 3-0 win over Fulham – and have picked up just four points from their last 10 games.
At Ewood Park, Paul Lambert’s side have drawn seven of their 15 matches, winning four and losing four. They’ve only scored 15 goals at home all season but their tally of 11 goals on their own patch is better than all but two sides in the division.
LAST TIME OUT
An 86th-minute finish from Huddersfield’s Nahki Wells denied the Dons a seventh home victory of the campaign on Tuesday evening.
Robinson’s men dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead when Alex Revell headed home from Jonny Williams’ cross – his first goal since moving to stadiummk on Deadline Day.
The Terriers were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Philip Billing was sent off for a rash challenge on Jake Forster-Caskey just three minutes after coming on, however this appeared to inspire his side who earned a share of spoils late on through Wells’ late strike.
Since the turn of the year, the men from MK1’s form on the road has been solid. Aside from a disappointing defeat to Bolton Wanderers, they have held Leeds United and Cardiff City to draws and beat Derby County 1-0 – their most recent road fixture.
THE OPPOSITION
Blackburn have struggled for consistency since the start of 2016 and currently sit two places and two points above the Dons in the Sky Bet Championship table, although they have played two games less.
The Rovers have won once in the league since the 11th December – a 3-0 win over Fulham – and have picked up just four points from their last 10 games.
At Ewood Park, Paul Lambert’s side have drawn seven of their 15 matches, winning four and losing four. They’ve only scored 15 goals at home all season but their tally of 11 goals on their own patch is better than all but two sides in the division.
LAST TIME OUT
An 86th-minute finish from Huddersfield’s Nahki Wells denied the Dons a seventh home victory of the campaign on Tuesday evening.
Robinson’s men dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead when Alex Revell headed home from Jonny Williams’ cross – his first goal since moving to stadiummk on Deadline Day.
The Terriers were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Philip Billing was sent off for a rash challenge on Jake Forster-Caskey just three minutes after coming on, however this appeared to inspire his side who earned a share of spoils late on through Wells’ late strike.
Elliot Bennett, Danny Graham and Jordi Gomez all went close for the Lancashire outfit, the latter hitting the crossbar with a diving header in the closing stages.
Jacob Butterfield scored what proved to be the decisive goal of the game after only eight minutes and despite a resurgent performance from Lambert’s men, they walked away empty-handed.
Blackburn were beaten 1-0 by Derby County on a frustrating Wednesday evening at the iPro Stadium.
Karl Robinson: “I look at the players and the staff they have and I’m sure they won’t be where they are now, this time next year because of the quality they possess on the pitch and in the dugout too. Paul Lambert is someone I have the upmost respect for and he’s got an unbelievable staff alongside him, with a wealth of knowledge.”
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
)mkstadium Last Dons win: 3-0, 28 Aug 2015 (
Dons wins at Ewood Park: 0
Dons wins: 2
HEAD TO HEAD
His two assistant referees this afternoon are Matthew Dicicco and James Bell, while the fourth official is Richard Clark.
Hooper has shown 76 yellow cards and sent off two players in 2015/16.
Today’s official is Simon Hooper, who referees the Dons for the third time this season having marshalled the Capital One Cup win over Leyton Orient and the Sky Bet Championship clash with Nottingham Forest, where he awarded Robinson’s men a penalty.
REFEREE
On a positive note, Samir Carruthers returns from a two-game suspension and Jonny Williams (shoulder) made it through Tuesday’s game unscathed.
Ben Reeves (knee), Carl Baker (ankle) and Matt Upson (hamstring/calf) are also edging closer to comebacks but none will travel to Ewood Park.
. mkstadium David Martin won’t be fit to face Blackburn but the expectation is he’ll be back in training next week ahead of the clash with Queens Park Rangers at
TEAM NEWS
Last draw: N/A
Draws at Ewood Park: 0
Draws: 0
Last Blackburn win: N/A
Blackburn wins at Ewood Park: 0
Blackburn wins: 0
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
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MATCH COVERAGE
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
Jonny Williams: 7/1
Rob Hall: 5/1
Josh Murphy: 4/1
Dean Bowditch: 7/2
Alex Revell: 100/30
First Dons goalscorer
Dons win: 19/5
Draw: 11/4
Blackburn win: 7/10
Result
SKY BET ODDS
Tickets for the trip to Blackburn, priced at £22 adults, £14 seniors/young adults and £7 for under-17s, can now only be purchased on arrival at Ewood Park.
