The Dons will look to extend their impressive run of results against top-half teams when Brighton & Hove Albion visit stadiummk this afternoon.
Two of those impressive results came at stadiummk, a place where Karl Robinson’s side have won four of their last eight games, losing just twice.
Their 23 goals conceded at home is also the fewest amongst those around them in the table, with the exception of Bolton Wanderers who have the same – they’ll need that solidarity at stadiummk to continue if they are to take anything from today’s clash with the second-placed Seagulls.
THE OPPOSITION
Brighton arrive in Milton Keynes this afternoon in a rich vein of form having won seven of their last 11 matches.
One point clear in the automatic places, the Seagulls are one of the top scorers in the division with 50 goals to their name, while their total of 34 conceded is the fourth-best total in the Championship.
If there was to be one weakness, Chris Hughton’s men haven’t won as many games outside the Amex Stadium as they would have liked, having triumphed just five times in 18 away league fixtures.
Eleven of those 18 road matches have been draws, however, and they’ve lost just twice on their travels in 2015/16.
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons picked up a hugely-important point at promotion-contenders Hull City last weekend, after holding the Tigers to a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.
Robinson’s men frustrated their hosts in the first half before taking the lead six minutes into the second period through Antony Kay, who headed home Rob Hall’s corner for his first goal of the season.
Hull levelled things up not long after courtesy of a wonderfully-taken free-kick from Sam Clucas but the Dons were able to hold on for a point and even went close to winning it late on with an Alex Revell shot which was saved by Alex McGregor.
The Seagulls failed to add to that strike and survived a late scare from the Royals – midfielder Ola John missing the target from six-yards before the end.
On-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson scored the only goal of the game in the first half with a low effort into the corner, from former Don Sam Baldock’s assist.
Brighton picked up their third victory in five games at home to Reading in midweek, to move second in the Championship.
“The pace and the athleticism of Brighton’s front four is a real threat. Their turnover of possession is really good too. The two boys in midfield are very assured in how they go about their game, with tremendous quality as well. The back four is very strong and they can break from deep.”
Karl Robinson: “We’ve watched three or four of their games. We were at their game on Tuesday night as well and that enabled us to get a real close look at them.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUTS
) mkstadium Last Dons win: 1-0, 26 Feb 2011 (
: 2 mkstadium Dons wins at
Dons wins: 4
HEAD TO HEAD
In the only three previous home matches against Brighton, the Dons have never lost and never conceded while the Seagulls have failed to score in four of their last six games against the men from MK1.
MATCH FACT
Kavanagh’s assistant referees will be Andrew Newbold and Steven Meredith while the fourth official is Carl Fitch.
In 26 games, the Lancashire official has 87 shown yellow cards but he has only sent off one player.
This afternoon's referee is Christopher Kavanagh, who will take charge of the Dons for the second this campaign.
REFEREE
Defender Uwe Hunemeier is getting closer to a return but he isn’t expected to be back for today's game.
Brighton could have Bobby Zamora back in the side after he recovered from a hip injury which kept him out of the midweek win at Reading.
In positive news, Carl Baker could make a return to the matchday squad after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Jake Forster-Caskey is ineligible to feature due to the terms of his loan deal from Brighton, while Samir Carruthers (suspended), Ben Reeves (calf), Joe Walsh (hamstring) and Matt Upson (hamstring) are all unavailable.
The Dons will monitor David Martin after he limped off during last weekend’s draw at Hull City, with Cody Cropper waiting in the wings to replace him if needed.
TEAM NEWS
“They are a team that’s in good form and play a nice system which they won’t veer away from on Saturday.”
Chris Hughton: “They have gone through some good spells and recently got a well-deserved point away against Hull City. They have been picking up good results but so have the teams around them.
Last Brighton win: 2-1, 7 Nov 2015 (Amex Stadium)
: 0 mkstadium Brighton wins at
Brighton wins: 3
) mkstadium Last draw: 0-0, 1 May 2010 (
: 1 mkstadium Draws at
Draws: 1
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
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MATCH COVERAGE
Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic, 3pm
Reading v Cardiff City, 3pm
Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers, 3pm
Leeds United v Huddersfield Town, 3pm
Ipswich Town v Rotherham United, 3pm
Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3pm
Bristol City v Bolton Wanderers, 3pm
Brentford v Blackburn Rovers, 3pm
Birmingham City v Fulham, 3pm
Derby County v Nottingham Forest, 12.30pm
Saturday
Middlesbrough v Hull City, 7.45pm
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
Daniel Powell: 5/1
Josh Murphy: 4/1
Dean Bowditch: 4/1
Nicky Maynard: 7/2
Alex Revell: 3/1
First Dons goalscorer
Brighton win: 11/10
Draw: 12/5
Dons win: 5/2
Result
SKY BET ODDS
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at stadiummk or call 0333 200 5343.