MK Dons welcome Peterborough United to Stadium MK this afternoon, looking to secure their third successive home victory.
Paul Tisdale’s men began their 2019/20 campaign in Milton Keynes with a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town and followed that up with a 2-1 triumph over Lincoln City on Tuesday evening.
The results have them on six points in the Sky Bet League One table - a positive start to life back in the third tier for the Dons.
If they were to pick up another Stadium MK victory today, it would be the first time since 2012 that the Dons have won their first three home matches of a season.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Peterborough United earned their first victory of the campaign in midweek courtesy of a 2-0 triumph at Southend United.
That away win, coupled with their 2-2 draw at home to Ipswich Town last weekend, has the Posh on four points from their opening four games, after they started the term with back-to-back defeats.
Darren Ferguson, in his third spell with the Cambridgeshire club, boasts a wealth of talent, including a lethal front three consisting of Mo Eisa, Ivan Toney and Marcus Maddison. Eisa and Toney have scored in each of their past two appearances while Maddison provided both assists in midweek.
LAST TIME OUT
First-half goals from Callum Brittain and George Williams earned MK Dons their second victory of the new season at home to Lincoln City.
Paul Tisdale’s men, who now boast six points from their opening three matches, took the lead after just 71 seconds through Brittain, who converted from Kieran Agard’s low cross.
Lincoln equalised nine minutes later through Tyler Walker but Williams put the Dons back in front midway through the first half in fortuitous style - diverting Jordan Bowery’s attempt past Josh Vickers from a prone position.
The Imps threatened in the second half but Tisdale’s side did enough to see out the win and make it back-to-back home successes.
Peterborough United secured a long-awaited three points courtesy of a 2-0 win away at Southend United.
Mo Eisa fired Posh in front seven minutes into the second half after he was picked out inside the six-yard box by Marcus Maddison, providing him with a simple finish for his second goal of the campaign.
Two minutes later, Darren Ferguson’s men had doubled their lead courtesy of Ivan Toney’s neat finish - his second goal in as many games.
Southend hit the crossbar late on but never looked like threatening Posh’s result - their first win of the campaign in all competitions.
FIGHTING TALK
Paul Tisdale: “They’re an established League One team who have been up to the Championship, and they are a top contender in League One this season. They have a manager who knows the club and how they want to play. They have got a really potent and creative strike-force so there is a defensive challenge for us there, for sure. This will be a good test.”
Darren Ferguson: “[MK Dons] are a good side, but we know that if we reach the levels we can, then we will be okay. We will be backed by a good crowd, we always are at MK and it is a game that we are all looking forward too.”
TEAM NEWS
MK Dons will be without Joe Mason for a considerable period of time due to a hamstring injury while Ben Reeves is sidelined with a lower leg issue.
Jordan Moore-Taylor is making progress from his long-term knee problem but is still some way off a return. There is better news regarding Brennan Dickenson, who is back in full training having not yet featured this term.
Joe Walsh confirmed at Thursday’s MKDSA Fans Forum that he, too, is back in training and could be in contention for a return this afternoon.
Peterborough United don’t expect Nathan Thompson to be involved today at Stadium MK but, otherwise, have a clean bill of health.
Key man Marcus Maddision is nearing full fitness and Darren Ferguson has the option to name an unchanged starting XI if he wishes too.
OFFICIALS
Andy Davies will take charge of this afternoon’s affair at Stadium MK.
The experienced official will referee the Dons for the first time since November 2016 when he oversaw the 2-1 victory over Coventry City. That afternoon, he produced four yellow cards and sent off Sky Blues midfielder Ben Stevenson for two bookable offences.
So far this season, Davies has booked 11 players in four matches but is yet to show his red card.
His assistant referees are Lee Venamore and Jonathan Hunt while the fourth official is Matthew Lee.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dons wins: 10
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 5
Last Dons win: 1-0, 30 Dec 2017 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Dons win: 4-0, 28 Jan 2017 (Weston Homes Stadium)
Draws: 4
Draws at Stadium MK: 2
Last draw: 3-3, 4 Sep 2018 (Stadium MK)
Peterborough wins: 11
Peterborough wins at Stadium MK: 3
Last Peterborough win: 2-0, 12 Sep 2017 (Weston Homes Stadium)
Biggest Peterborough win: 4-0, 10 Mar 2007 (Weston Homes Stadium)
SKY BET ODDS
Dons win: 13/10
Draw: 23/10
Peterborough: 19/10
Click HERE for more Sky Bet odds!
ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
Doncaster Rovers v Lincoln City, 12.30pm
Bolton Wanderers v Ipswich Town
Bristol Rovers v Oxford United
Coventry City v Gillingham
Fleetwood Town v Accrington Stanley
Rochdale v Blackpool
Shrewsbury Town v Burton Albion
Sunderland v AFC Wimbledon
Wycombe Wanderers v Southend United
FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets for the match are priced at £22 adults, £17 seniors and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with an accompanying adult. Supporters can upgrade to premium seats in the East Centre for a £5 premium while an upgrade to clubRed is just £10 more.
To purchase tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
Those fans in the UK & Republic of Ireland can listen to live audio commentary on iFollow MK Dons for just £2.50 - click HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass!
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 2.00pm.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
