mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Swindon Town at The Energy Check County Ground...
Bouncing back
For the first time this season, MK Dons will be looking to bounce back from a defeat after their unbeaten run ended at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
Paul Tisdale’s side fell to their first defeat under the new manager’s leadership at the Vitality Stadium, losing 3-0 to a Cherries side which included the likes of Artur Boruc, Tyrone Mings, Jefferson Lerma, Ryan Fraser and Jermain Defoe.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for MK Dons to take from their performance and that should them as look to get back to winning ways in Wiltshire.
Continue the strong start
MK Dons still boast an unbeaten record in Sky Bet League Two having won three and drawn two of their opening five matches.
They will be out to maintain that form this weekend and extend their run to six games, which would be the club’s longest unbeaten stretch in the league since the 2014/15 promotion-winning campaign.
A win would also see the team move on to 14 points which would be their third-best total after six matches, behind the 2011/12 and 2006/07 campaigns when they took 16 and 15 points respectively.
One of the best defences in the EFL
MK Dons have conceded just two goals in their opening five league matches - a record which is bettered by only Liverpool in England’s top four divisions.
Tisdale’s side are one of only three teams in the EFL to have conceded so few goals, along with Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough and Barnsley of Sky Bet League One.
This Saturday, they go in search of a fifth clean sheet and should they secure one, they would be over a quarter of the way to matching their total from last season (16) - after only seven games!
Striking reinforcements
One of the positives from Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with AFC Bournemouth was the sight of strikers Sam Nombe and Osman Sow back on the pitch.
The duo were sidelined with injury at the start of the season but returned to action during the second-half at the Vitality Stadium.
Both players impressed during their time on the pitch and their availability at the weekend would be a major boost to Tisdale, who has been without a number of his forward options so far this season.
Record against the Robins
After winning just two of their first 10 matches against Swindon Town, MK Dons have since turned their form around against the Robins.
In the last 11 meetings between the two clubs, the Dons have won eight times and have lost just once, scoring 19 goals and conceding just eight times.
There have been some memorable encounters against the Wiltshire club at the County Ground in the past, not least the 3-0 victory in April 2015 which kick-started the run to promotion from League One.
Way back in March 2005, the Dons secured a point at Swindon courtesy of Matt Baker’s stoppage-time penalty and it was a point that proved crucial as they went to avoid relegation from the third tier.
Nine years later, there was more late drama as George Baldock secured a 2-1 victory for MK Dons with a stunning long-range drive in the 90th minute.
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Swindon Town are priced at £23 adults, £17 seniors/students, £10 under-21s, £6 under-18s and £2 under-11s.
Travel is on sale for this fixture, priced at £15 for Season Ticket holders and £16 for all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 12pm.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will remain on sale from MK Dons until 5pm on Friday.
