mkdons.com previews this afternoon's Sky Bet League One clash with Walsall at the Banks's Stadium.
Dan Micciche takes charge of his first Sky Bet League One game today as MK Dons travel to Walsall. The Dons will be looking to turn things around after back-to-back defeats against Northampton Town and Coventry City respectively.
Micciche and Keith Millen completed the January transfer window with the additions of Elliott Ward and Josh Tymon on Tuesday morning. The January window also saw both Ike Ugbo and Marcus Tavernier make the move to Stadium MK, while Scott Golbourne extended his loan till the end of the season.
Elsewhere, Gboly Ariyibi and Ryan Seager had their respective loans come to an end, and Paul Downing departed the Dons for Blackburn Rovers earlier in the month.
With the January business finished, Micciche will be looking to guide his side clear of relegation with a squad he has full faith in.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Walsall themselves had a busy January transfer window. On Deadline Day, they secured the services of Julien Ngoy from Stoke City, Jack Fitzwater from West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal's Krystian Bielik all on loan until the end of the season. Earlier in the window, Justin Shaibu and George Dobson were added to the ranks at the Banks's Stadium.
Currently sitting in 18th place in the Sky Bet League One table, Walsall will be looking to avoid relegation come the end of the season. The Saddlers are just three points off the bottom four and if results go against them this weekend - they could find themselves in the relegation zone.
On the sideline, Jon Whitney is currently amidst his second season in charge of Walsall, having taken the reigns in June 2016. The former defender featured for the likes of Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town and Hull City throughout his playing career.
The Dons bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the Fourth Round stage after a 1-0 defeat in Micciche’s first game in charge against Coventry City.
Micciche’s Dons dominated the ball at Stadium MK but a 62nd-minute finish from Maxime Biamou proved to be the only goal of the game. There was a return to the side for Dean Lewington, while Ike Ugbo and Marcus Tavernier made their Stadium MK debuts.
Chuks Aneke will still be absent for The Dons as he serves the second game of his three-match suspension following his dismissal against Northampton Town. Peter Pawlett will be monitored for a groin injury that saw him miss last weekend's clash, while Joe Walsh and Scott Golbourne are still unavailable.
Josh Tymon and Elliott Ward will be hoping to feature for the first time in an MK Dons shirt.
Christopher Sarginson will be the man in the middle this afternoon – the third time he's overseen the Dons this season.
The official last took charge of the men from MK1 during their 4-3 win over Oxford United in the Checkatrade Trophy earlier in the season - that day he issued six yellow cards.
In total this season, Mr. Sarginson has issued 100 yellow cards and five reds.
His assistant referees are Simon Shaw and Ravel Cheosiaua while the fourth official is Christopher Husband.
Dons wins: 8
Dons wins at the Banks's Stadium: 5
Last Dons win: 4-1, 30 Apr 2017 (Banks's Stadium)
Biggest Dons win: 4-1, 30 Apr 2017 (Banks's Stadium)
Draws: 9
Last draw: 1-1, 17 Oct 2017 (Stadium MK)
Walsall wins: 6
Walsall wins at the Banks's Stadium: 2
Last Walsall win: 3-0, 28 Dec 2014 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Walsall win: 3-0, 28 Dec 2014 (Stadium MK)
Result
Walsall – 13/10
Draw – 23/10
MK Dons – 21/10
*all odds correct at the time of writing
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Supporters living outside the UK can watch the match LIVE with an iFollow MK Dons Season/Monthly Pass or by purchasing a Match Pass – click HERE for more information!
iFollow MK Dons will have also live commentary of the game for UK-based fans – click HERE to sign up for as little as £4.49 for a month.
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.
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.
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Tickets for today's clash with Walsall at the Bescot Stadium are priced at £22.50 adults, £17.50 seniors/under-18s while a family ticket (one adult, one under-18) will cost £24.50.
Tickets can now only be bought on the turnstiles at the Banks’s Stadium, cash only.
