MK Dons entertain Cambridge United this afternoon, with their eyes firmly set on making a winning start to 2019.
Paul Tisdale’s men looked on course to pick up their first Sky Bet League Two in three last Saturday after a much-improved performance against Northampton Town at the PTS Academy Stadium, but two late goals from the Cobblers saw the match end in a draw.
They will be eager to get back to winning ways today and start 2019 in the best possible fashion, as they look to maintain their place inside the automatic promotion places in Sky Bet League Two.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Cambridge United appointed Colin Calderwood as their new Head Coach just prior to Christmas and the Scot has made an instant impact.
In his first game in charge, Calderwood led the U’s to their first win in seven games while his side were unfortunate not to earn a result against the league leaders Lincoln City this past weekend - Cambridge led at half-time but surrendered their advantage during the second period.
Sitting one place and three points above the relegation zone, United will be looking to pick up enough points during the second-half of the season to stay clear of the red line.
One player who they will be relying on to help them achieve that feat is former Don Jabo Ibehre, who has scored in each of his past two matches. Jeavani Brown and George Maris are their other goal threats.
MK Dons conceded twice in the final 12 minutes to Northampton Town as they were denied their first win in three games at the PTS Academy Stadium.
Paul Tisdale’s men took a first-half lead through Alex Gilbey, who converted from close-range after Chuks Aneke’s penalty was saved. Aneke then doubled the advantage on 69 minutes, firing home his 12th goal of the season from Kieran Agard’s pass.
Northampton, though, fought back and, after Andy Williams reduced the deficit with 12 minutes to play, substitute Junior Morais earned his side a share of the spoils with a stoppage-time lob from the edge of the area.
Cambridge United surrendered a half-time lead to league leaders Lincoln City in Colin Calderwood’s first home game in charge of the U’s.
Jabo Ibehre headed home Jevani Brown’s cross just before the half-hour mark to give United a perfect start but Lincoln responded in the second period, with Neal Eardley drawing them level with 20 minutes to play.
Five minutes later, John Akinde collected a flick on from Matt Rhead and fired in on the turn - earning the Imps all three points and preventing Calderwood’s side from securing back-to-back positive results.
Paul Tisdale: “We have to move on really quickly to the next game - it’s always about what’s next. We have something to work off - a performance that looked like us.
“We will work off the back of that and go again. I’m ready for [Cambridge United] and the players will be too.”
MK Dons welcomed back Mathieu Baudry and Jordan Moore-Taylor in Saturday’s draw with Northampton Town.
Baudry shone in his first league start for the Dons while Moore-Taylor got eight important minutes under his belt. Their comebacks help to bolster a defence which is currently without Joe Walsh and Callum Brittain.
Paul Tisdale didn’t reveal any further injury news in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
Cambridge United will be without midfielder Gary Deegan, who serves the second game of his two-match suspension on Tuesday.
Colin Calderwood doesn’t appear to have any other injury concerns but the likes of George Taft, Adebayo Azeez and Harrison Dunk are waiting in the wings if he wishes to change this up from the weekend.
Charles Breakspear will oversee this afternoon's clash at Stadium MK.
The Surrey official refereed the Dons earlier in the season, producing four yellow cards and one red card in the 1-0 win over Exeter City - an afternoon when he also awarded two penalties in favour of Paul Tisdale’s men.
In total this season, Breakspear has made 10 dismissals and booked 94 players in 27 outings.
His assistant referees are Nicholas Cooper and Kevin Morris while the fourth official is Ollie Williams.
Dons wins: 1
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 0
Last Dons win: 1-0, 13 Oct 2018 (The Abbey Stadium)
Biggest Dons win: 1-0, 13 Oct 2018 (The Abbey Stadium)
Draws: 0
Draws at Stadium MK: N/A
Last draw: N/A
Cambridge wins: 0
Cambridge wins at Stadium MK: N/A
Last Cambridge win: N/A
Biggest Cambridge win: N/A
Dons win - 8/13
Draw - 11/4
Cambridge win - 17/4
Click HERE for more Sky Bet odds!
Tickets for today's clash 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.
Can't make the game? 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 2pm.
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...
Grimsby Town v Mansfield Town, 1pm
Bury v Crewe Alexandra, 3pm
Crawley Town v Colchester United, 3pm
Forest Green Rovers v Northampton Town, 3pm
Lincoln City v Port Vale, 3pm
Macclesfield Town v Tranmere Rovers, 3pm
Morecambe v Carlisle United, 3pm
Oldham Athletic v Notts County, 3pm
Stevenage v Newport County, 3pm
Swindon Town v Exeter City, 3pm
Yeovil Town v Cheltenham Town, 3pm
