MK Dons take on Peterborough United this evening, in the second of their three Checkatrade Trophy group games.
Karl Robinson’s side beat Barnet on penalties in matchday one, earning them two points which has them sitting second in the Southern Group F table – the Dons won on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw was played out at Stadium MK.
A victory tonight will see the men from MK1 qualify for the second round should their opponents from the opening match, Barnet, fail to beat Norwich City at The Hive. A win and a draw in the match between the Canaries and the Bees will see Robinson’s team move top of the table.
The Dons will also see tonight’s fixture as a chance to maintain their excellent away form – they have won five of their eight away matches in all competitions, scoring 16 goals.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Posh were beaten 6-1 by group-favourites Norwich City in their opening match of the Checkatrade Trophy back in August.
As a result of the loss, Grant McCann’s side are currently bottom of the Southern Group F table and a defeat this evening would all-but end their hopes of qualifying for the next stage due to their goal difference – a Dons win coupled with a Norwich City draw or victory would mathematically end United's chances.
The Cambridgeshire outfit are also without a win in seven games, having drawn five and lost two of their recent fixtures, so they’ll be eager to bounce back with a victory tonight against the Dons, who were the last team they beat.
The Dons maintained their superb away form with a 2-0 success at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
Robinson’s men dominated from the start and deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when Ben Reeves’ shot squirmed under Latics goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
Oldham captain Peter Clarke hit the crossbar with an overhead kick early in the second half before Kieran Agard secured the points for his side with a glancing header from Samir Carruthers’ free-kick.
The victory, which would have been greater had Agard’s shot not rattled the crossbar, moved Robinson’s team up to ninth in the Sky Bet League One table.
A victory tonight will see the men from MK1 qualify for the second round should their opponents from the opening match, Barnet, fail to beat Norwich City at The Hive. A win and a draw in the match between the Canaries and the Bees will see Robinson’s team move top of the table.
The Dons will also see tonight’s fixture as a chance to maintain their excellent away form – they have won five of their eight away matches in all competitions, scoring 16 goals.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Posh were beaten 6-1 by group-favourites Norwich City in their opening match of the Checkatrade Trophy back in August.
As a result of the loss, Grant McCann’s side are currently bottom of the Southern Group F table and a defeat this evening would all-but end their hopes of qualifying for the next stage due to their goal difference – a Dons win coupled with a Norwich City draw or victory would mathematically end United's chances.
The Cambridgeshire outfit are also without a win in seven games, having drawn five and lost two of their recent fixtures, so they’ll be eager to bounce back with a victory tonight against the Dons, who were the last team they beat.
The Dons maintained their superb away form with a 2-0 success at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
Robinson’s men dominated from the start and deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when Ben Reeves’ shot squirmed under Latics goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
Oldham captain Peter Clarke hit the crossbar with an overhead kick early in the second half before Kieran Agard secured the points for his side with a glancing header from Samir Carruthers’ free-kick.
The victory, which would have been greater had Agard’s shot not rattled the crossbar, moved Robinson’s team up to ninth in the Sky Bet League One table.
The visitors, though, earned themselves a share of spoils in stoppage-time when Maddison drilled in a low left-footed shot from 20-yards out.
Anthony Wordsworth, who had a penalty saved by Luke McGee, put the Shrimpers ahead with left-footed finish from close range in the 78th minute.
Posh struck in stoppage time to earn a point away at Southend United but they remain without a win in seven games.
Karl Robinson: “When you got (ABAX Stadium) it’s always a difficult to place to go. We want to go there and win but it’s going to be a difficult game.”
Grant McCann: "We are looking forward to the game. We know that we need to win it because of the result in the first game. Against Norwich I made a few changes but that won't be the case against MK Dons.”
Last Dons win: 3-0, 21 Feb 2015 (Stadium MK)
Dons wins at ABAX Stadium: 3
Dons wins: 7
Kettle’s assistant referees will be Darren Blunden and Michael D’Aguilar, while the fourth official is Craig Taylor.
The Rutland official has shown 25 yellow cards in five matches this season and also made two dismissals although both of those came in the same match.
Trevor Kettle will take charge of tonight’s tie, refereeing the Dons for the first time in six years.
Jermaine Anderson, Lee Angol and Brad Inman are all unavailable due injury, while right-back Michael Smith is away with Northern Ireland.
Posh boss Grant McCann has confirmed he will play a strong side for the clash.
George C Williams is on international duty.
Daniel Powell (illness) also remains sidelined, as does Chuks Aneke (knee) and long-term absentee Scott Wootton (knee).
One player who definitely won’t be involved is George Baldock, who has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday’s victory.
Robinson is expected to make changes to Saturday’s side, with only players set to start from the win at Oldham Athletic.
Last draw: 0-0, 20 Jan 2009 (ABAX Stadium)
Draws at ABAX Stadium:
Draws: 3
Last Posh win: 2-0, 27 Aug 2016 (Stadium MK)
Posh wins at ABAX Stadium: 5
Posh wins: 10
What’s more, supporters can stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s matchday blog, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from midday on Wednesday.
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MATCH COVERAGE
for more betting options for tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy tie - don't forget the Dons benefit every time you win with Sky Bet! here Click
*All odds correct at the time of writing
Dean Bowditch: 13/2
Paul Taylor: 6/1
Nicky Maynard: 6/1
Tom Nichols: 11/2
Marcus Maddison: 11/2
Kieran Agard: 5/1
First goalscorer
Dons win: 11/5
Draw: 11/4
Posh win: EVENS
Result after 90mins!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.
