mkdons.com previews today’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Rotherham United at The New York Stadium.
Matt Gilks' heroic performance last Saturday denied Robbie Neilson’s side all three points in what was perhaps the Dons' best performance of the season.
The men from MK1 dominated a Scunthorpe United side tipped for promotion and created numerous chances only to be thwarted by the impressive Gilks between the sticks. Goals from Kieran Agard and Chuks Aneke were enough to earn the Dons a share of the spoils, however, it was Neilson who came way the most disappointed.
After impressing against the Iron and Shrewsbury Town the week prior, the signs are certainly positive and if Dons continue to play the way they are then the draws may turn into wins.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Rotherham currently sit in 10th place in the Sky Bet League One table and under the stewardship of Paul Warne, they’ll be aiming for a play-off position come the end of the season.
The Millers finished bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table last year having won just five of their 46 games. This season, they’ve very much steadied the ship at The New York Stadium with summer additions such as Semi Ajayi and Richie Towell impressing alongside Kieffer Moore who has netted 13 times in the league during his loan spell from Ipswich.
MK Dons came from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils at Glanford Park but it could have been more had it not been for a Man of the Match display from Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Matt Gilks.
Gilks pulled off a string of saves to deny the Dons an away victory after goals from Kieran Agard and Chuks Aneke cancelled out efforts from Hakeeb Adelakun and Kevin Van Veen.
Semi Ajayi’s dramatic late equaliser earned Rotherham United a share of the spoils against Plymouth Argyle after Ryan Taylor looked set to came back to haunt his former club.
Paul Warne’s men shrugged off the disappointment of the second-half dismissal of skipper Richard Wood to earn a point, when Ajayi’s first league goal of the campaign cancelled out Taylor’s opener.
Robbie Neilson: “They are a strong team. It’s going to be a tough game between two teams who will be looking to use this period to springboard their season."
Robbie Neilson will be hoping to welcome Alex Gilbey back into his side as the midfielder looks to shrug off his knee injury that has kept him out of action in recent weeks.
Scott Golbourne, who limped off against Scunthorpe United should be ready for Saturday, however, the tie looks to have come too soon for both Ousseynou Cisse and Callum Brittain.
After his red card against Plymouth Argyle last weekend, Richard Wood will miss this weekend’s tie. Former Don Darren Potter has been struggling with an Achilles injury of late so may also miss the encounter.
Rotherham will also be without Kieffer Moore who is serving the final game of his three-match suspension after he saw red against Bristol Rovers earlier in the month.
John Busby takes charge of this afternoon’s clash.
The Lancashire-born official has run the rule over 25 games this season and has produced 68 yellow and three red cards this season. The last time he oversaw the Dons meanwhile, was during their 4-0 win over Peterborough January 2017.
Salisbury's assistant referees this weekend are Kevin Howick and Grant Taylor while the fourth official is Rob Smith.
Dons wins: 2
Dons wins at AESSEAL New York Stadium: 3
Last Dons win: 4-1, 8 Aug, 2015 (AESSEAL New York Stadium)
Biggest Dons win: 4-1, 8 Aug, 2015 (AESSEAL New York Stadium)
Draws: 4
Draws at AESSEAL New York Stadium: 2
Last draw: 2-2, 26 Apr 2014 (AESSEAL New York Stadium)
Rotherham wins: 1
Rotherham wins at AESSEAL New York Stadium: 0
Last Rotherham win: 4-0, 09 Apr 2016 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Rotherham win: 4-0, 09 Apr 2016 (Stadium MK)
Result
Rotherham win – 1/1
Draw – 5/2
MK Dons win – 13/5
First goalscorer
David Ball – 9/2
Jerry Yates – 11/2
Johnson Clarke-Harris – 11/2
No goalscorer – 11/1
Chuks Aneke – 6/1
Kieran Agard – 6/1
Osman Sow– 6/1
Scorecast
Osman Sow to score first and MK Dons to win 2-1 – 45/1
Sky Bet tip
Kieran Agard to score anytime and MK Dons to win – 9/2
*all odds correct at the time of writing
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Supporters can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 1pm.
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A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
