mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Friday's Sky Bet League One clash with AFC Wimbledon.
First win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium
In Friday’s eagerly-anticipated clash, the Dons will out to record their first away victory over AFC Wimbledon.
The men from MK1 boast a strong home record over AFC Wimbledon, having beaten them in three of the four matches between the two clubs that have been held at Stadium MK, including the first-ever league fixture.
However, it was AFC Wimbledon who came out on top in the first meeting at the Cherry Red Records Stadium back in March – a disappointing result the Dons will be looking to put right on Friday.
On the topic, Robbie Neilson said: “It's a massive game for us on Friday night and the boys are really looking forward to it, as I’m sure the fans will be as well.
“Hopefully we take a good allocation, we put on a good performance and we get three points because we know it means so much to everyone at this club.”
Third time lucky at going back-to-back
While looking to record a memorable win over their rivals, Robbie Neilson’s men will also be out to secure successive victories on Friday, following their 3-2 triumph over Rochdale last weekend.
Despite winning five matches in all competitions this season, they have yet to put two wins together and that is something that they’ll need to change if they are to climb the Sky Bet League One table.
Continue dominance over bottom-half sides
The Dons boast a 100% record against the teams they’ve faced who currently in the bottom half of the Sky Bet League One table and they go head to head with another one of those sides on Friday, in AFC Wimbledon.
Neilson’s side, who have enjoyed victories over Gillingham, Plymouth Argyle and Rochdale, will want to extend their run by adding AFC Wimbledon to the list.
It would also set them up well for the remainder of the month, with two more bottom-half teams to come in Northampton Town and Bury.
Goals, goals, goals...
Having not scored more than one goal in any of their seven league matches prior to Saturday, the Dons finally broke out against Rochdale.
The men from MK1 netted three times in the victory, including two in the first half after previously only scoring one first-half league goal – Aidan Nesbitt’s decisive finish in the 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle.
Fast starts are important too – the Dons haven’t lost a league match in which they’ve scored the first goal since October 2016.
Options in attack
The Dons, although short on numbers at the back with two central defenders sidelined through injury, have real depth in attacking areas, which is sure to provide boss Neilson with a real selection headache.
A group which is still awaiting the return of Chuks Aneke, has striker Osman Sow, who played well against Rochdale in his first 90-minute run out of the season, and Ryan Seager who got on the scoresheet after coming off the bench.
Kieran Agard, who recently returned from injury, his eager to bag his first goal of the campaign and Robbie Muirhead has impressed during his appearances for the Under-23s.
That’s not even taking into account the wide players – Gboly Ariyibi and Aidan Nesbitt have both been amongst the goals in recent weeks, the former bagging a brace last Saturday at Stadium MK.
