mkdons.com details the storylines to follow ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Bradford City...
Dons go again
With no midweek fixture, the Dons will have had a full week to prepare for Saturday's important clash, where they will be aiming to bounce back and record an elusive league win.
Dan Micciche’s men are six points adrift of safety in Sky Bet League One and Saturday’s fixture provides them with an opportunity to close that gap with the two sides immediately above them – Fleetwood Town and Northampton Town – also in action against top-10 sides.
Whichever team can record an upset at the weekend will surely give their survival chances a boost – the Dons will be looking to make sure that team is them!
Any absentees to return?
Osman Sow returned to the matchday squad last weekend following a spell on the treatment table while Ed Upson also made a comeback after serving a two-match suspension.
That leaves Peter Pawlett and Marcus Tavernier as the two absentees that Dan Micciche will be looking to get back as soon as possible, with the likes of Alex Gilbey, Joe Walsh and Scott Golbourne sidelined long-term.
Will either Pawlett or Tavernier feature at the weekend? Micciche should provide an injury update in his pre-match media address on Thursday morning.
Under-23s impress
The Under-23s romped to a 5-0 victory over Windsor in the Berks and Bucks FA County Senior Cup on Tuesday evening and there was a number of impressive individual performances from players who will be hoping to push into Dan Micciche’s first-team plans soon.
Brandon Thomas-Asante stole the headlines with a hat-trick while winger Aidan Nesbitt also got on the scoresheet. Conor McGrandles put in an assured display in midfield too, alongside Giorgio Rasulo and Connor Furlong.
Will any of those involved in midweek make the trip to Yorkshire at the weekend?
Bantams boss after first win
Similar to Dan Micciche, Bradford City manager Simon Grayson is still searching for his first win as chief of the Bantams.
Bradford fought back to earn a point against Charlton Athletic in Grayson’s first game in charge but they were beaten 1-0 by in-form Plymouth Argyle last weekend.
If Grayson is to earn his first three points as Bradford manger on Saturday then he will have to do it without striker Charlie Wyke, who was sent off in that defeat to Plymouth.
Bradford – the Dons’ bogey team
After enjoying a run of four wins from six against Bradford City between 2004 and 2008, the Dons have since struggled against the Yorkshireman.
The men from MK1 have lost seven out of the last nine meetings with Bradford, winning only once – a 2-0 home victory in September 2014.
Can the Dons turn it around on Saturday and not only return to winning ways in Sky Bet League One but also end their barren run against the Bantams?
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Bradford City can now only be bought at the Northern Commercials Stadium, cash only. Tickets are priced at £25 adults, £15 seniors/students, £10 under-16s and £5 under-11s.
