MK Dons will be looking to make it back-to-back league wins when they entertain Cheltenham Town at Stadium MK this afterno
Paul Tisdale’s side picked up three points in midweek with a 2-0 victory over Port Vale and will be out to double that total by securing a similar success today against the Robins.
The Dons, who are unbeaten at home this season, currently sit sixth in the Sky Bet League Two table and could climb as high as fourth with a win.
Tisdale’s men are also beginning to find their feet in front of goal, which is largely down to the form of their strikers. Chuks Aneke, Kieran Agard and Rhys Healey have combined for nine goals in the last six matches with Aneke leading the way, currently, with five to his name.
Should they continue to find the net, and maintain the defensive form which sees them ranked among the best in the EFL, their chances of adding to their points total will greatly increase.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Cheltenham Town arrive in Milton Keynes without a win in their last four games but buoyed after a last-minute goal in midweek earned them a point.
The Robins, 19th in the Sky Bet League Two table, have picked up nine points so far this season, seven of which have come on the road - Michael Duff’s men have won two and drawn one of their five away league fixtures in 2018/19.
Luke Varney scored twice in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Morecambe and he is tied for Cheltenham’s top scorer along with Ryan Broom and Conor Thomas.
MK Dons returned to winning ways in midweek courtesy of a routine 2-0 victory over Port Vale at Vale Park.
Chuks Aneke opened the scoring for Paul Tisdale’s men 22 minutes in with a composed finish from Baily Cargill’s pinpoint low cross. Kieran Agard then doubled the advantage nine minutes later courtesy of a fine left-footed strike into the bottom left-hand corner.
The Dons saw out the remainder the contest with relative ease and even had chances to extend to their lead - Ryan Watson, Alex Gilbey and Rhys Healey all going close to adding to the total.
Cheltenham Town twice came from behind to to salvage draw from their home encounter with Morecambe.
Jordan Cranston put the visitors ahead on 32 minutes but Robins striker Luke Varney levelled things up before half-time with a close-range finish.
Morecambe restored their lead nine minutes into the second half through Rhys Oates but Cheltenham, who missed a penalty, equalised in stoppage time - Varney the goalscorer again in the fourth and final minute of the game.
MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale confirmed in Thursday’s press conference that Osman Sow is currently sidelined with a groin strain while Ryan Harley remains out with an unspecified injury.
Peter Pawlett and Conor McGrandles are unavailable too although the former has returned to light training. Mathieu Baudry and Lawson D’Ath are also back in training but it remains to be seen when they will be put back into match action.
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff will continue to ease defender Chris Hussey back following a long-term injury.
Fellow defender Craig Alcock is doubtful with a knock, while full-back Sean Long is unlikely to feature either.
Tom Nield will take charge of today's affair at Stadium MK.
Nield, in his second season as an EFL official, refereed MK Dons’ 1-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic back in February - a night when he produced just three yellow cards.
So far this season, he has tallied 29 bookings and two red cards in 10 games.
His assistant referees this afternoon are Andrew Aylott and Bhupinder Gill while the fourth official is Andrew Hendley.
Dons wins: 3
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 1
Last Dons win: 4-1, 9 Aug 2011 (Jonny-Rocks Stadium)
Biggest Dons win: 4-1, 9 Aug 2011 (Jonny-Rocks Stadium)
Draws: 1
Draws at Stadium MK: 0
Last draw: 1-1, 11 Aug 2012 (Jonny-Rocks Stadium)
Cheltenham wins: 0
Cheltenham wins at Stadium MK: N/A
Last Cheltenham win: N/A
Biggest Cheltenham win: N/A
Result
Dons win: 8/13
Draw: 29/10
Cheltenham win: 9/2
First goalscorer
Chuks Aneke: 3/1
Kieran Agard: 7/2
Rhys Healey: 4/1
Robbie Simpson: 4/1
Scorecast
MK Dons to win 2-0 and Chuks Aneke to score first: 17/1
Tickets are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons members. Supporters can upgrade their seat to East Centre for just £5 more while an upgrade to clubRed is available for a £10 premium.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office/cash-only ticket booths or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch the match LIVE by purchasing a Match Pass – click HERE to buy!
iFollow MK Dons subscribers can also access live commentary of the 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.
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Elsewhere in Sky Bet League Two…
Bury v Mansfield Town
Crawley Town v Cambridge United
Forest Green Rovers v Newport County
Grimsby Town v Port Vale
Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra
Macclesfield Town v Notts County
Morecambe v Tranmere Rovers
Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United
Stevenage v Colchester United
Swindon Town v Northampton Town
Yeovil Town v Exeter City
