MK Dons travel to face Northampton Town this afternoonas they look to return to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two.
Paul Tisdale’s side fell to only their fourth third league defeat of the campaign on Boxing Day, losing 3-1 to Cheltenham Town. Despite the result, they remain second in the Sky Bet League Two table, two points clear in the automatic promotion-places, and four points off leaders Lincoln City.
Today's clash marks the end of the football calendar for MK Dons in 2018, as they make the short journey to Northampton backed by over 1,400 Dons fans.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Northampton Town were relegated from Sky Bet League Two last season in 22nd place and will be looking to regain promotion at the first time of asking. The season didn't start how the Cobblers faithful would've wanted with the club winning just one of their opening 12 Sky Bet League Two games.
During that time, Dean Austin was relieved of his managerial duties with experienced EFL manager Keith Curle taking his place at the PTS Academy Stadium. Curle has managed to turn Northampton into a promotion-chasing side - they've lost just twice under the 55-year-old - including the 1-0 defeat at Stadium MK in October.
The Cobblers are unbeaten in their last four games, while their side contains a couple of ex-MK Dons players with Dean Bowditch and Daniel Powell among the ranks. Elsewhere likes of Junior Morais, Andy Williams, John-Joe O'Toole and Sam Foley, all boast plenty of league experience.
MK Dons suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season as they were beaten 3-1 by Cheltenham Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Neil Atangana put the Robins ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour but Chuks Aneke cancelled it out with his 11th goal of the season.
Cheltenham, though, restored their lead in the final minute of the first half through Tyrone Barnett and then, after holding off the Dons throughout the second half, added to their tally late on - Chris Clements the goalscorer of the third goal.
Northampton, meanwhile, recorded their third successive 1-1 draw with Swindon Town on Boxing Day. Andy Williams had given Curle's side an early lead, before Keshi Anderson levelled for Swindon on the 63rd minute forced the sides to share the spoils.
Paul Tisdale: “What happens next for us is that we're in training [on Thursday] and we'll prepare for Saturday's game. [Wednesday's defeat] sets us a challenge. We've just lost two games on the spin and now have two games coming up in the next week which we need to respond in.
Keith Curle: "It's a massive game but there is no fear in the changing room. The mentality of the group has improved since I walked through the door and we will fight for everything."
Paul Tisdale didn’t reveal any fresh injury concerns for MK Dons when he spoke to the media following Wednesday's clash with Cheltenham Town.
The Dons re-introduced Chuks Aneke to the starting XI, while Peter Pawlett also earned minutes from the bench.
Jordan Moore-Taylor, Joe Walsh, Callum Brittain, Mathieu Baudry and Ryan Harley were the only players who missed out due to injury while Sow was not invovled as he continues to ease back into action. It remains to be seen if any will be fit to return for today.
Graham Scott will take charge of this afternoon's clash.
The Oxfordshire official has refereed 11 games so far this season, issuing 26 yellow cards and two red cards.
He last oversaw an MK Dons game during their 2-0 defeat to Hull City back in 2015.
His assistant referees are Sian Massey-Ellis and Daniel Robathan while the fourth official is Nicholas Kinseley.
Dons wins: 8
Dons wins at Sixfields: 2
Last Dons win: 1-0, 20 Oct 2018 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Dons win: 3-0, 19 Jan 2016 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 2
Draws at Sixfields: 1
Last draw: 0-0, 26 Sep 2017 (Stadium MK)
Northampton wins: 3
Northampton wins at Sixfields: 3
Last Northampton win: 2-1, 20 January 2018 (Sixfields)
Biggest Northampton win: 3-2, 4 Sep 2016 (Sixfields)
Dons win - 13/10
Draw - 9/4
Northampton win - 2/1
Tickets for this afternoon's clash with Northampton Town have SOLD OUT and there will be no more sales at the PTS Academy Stadium.
iFollow MK Dons subscribers can listen to live commentary of this game – click HERE to sign up for as little as £4.49 for a month.
Supporters can also stay in touch with the action via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 1pm.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle along with full reaction from Paul Tisdale and a player. Highlights will be available to view from midnight.
