MK Dons are back in action this aftern as they travel to Grimsby Town for their penultimate Sky Bet League Two clash of the month.
The Dons head to Blundell Park having lost their last two Sky Bet League Two outings to Bury and Crewe Alexandra, respectively.
2019 had started in emphatic fashion for Paul Tisdale's side as they overcame Cambridge United 6-0 on New Year's Day. However, the aforementioned defeats to Crewe and Bury leave the Dons in fifth heading into today's clash.
Kick-Off is 3pm.
Grimsby Town enter this afternoon's game looking for their first three points of 2019, however, they will certainly be buoyed be the last two encounters with Tisdale's side. They held MK Dons to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture back in August - before progressing in the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-1 win last November.
Michael Jolley's side have also shown this season they have the capability of picking up results in front of their own fans overcoming high flyers Colchester United 1-0 in late October – while they also held Exeter City to a 0-0 draw at Blundell Park.
They've also had success against Exeter City away from home, in their final game of 2018, goals from Martyn Woolford and Mitchell Rose gave Jolley a vital three points.
Grimsby recruited four new faces this transfer window with both Sebastian Ring and Ludvig Öhman joining from Swedish sides. Elsewhere, Luke Hendrie signed on at Blundell Park from Shrewsbury Town and Joe Grayson joined on loan from Blackburn Rovers.
Charlie Kirk’s 32nd-minute goal was the difference at Stadium MK last Saturday as Crewe Alexandra inflicted a 1-0 defeat on MK Dons.
Grimsby Town were in action on Tuesday night and fell to a 3-0 defeat against Forest Green Rovers. Having returned from Bolton Wanderers, Christian Doidge netted a first-half before Reece Brown secured all three points for Forest Green.
Paul Tisdale: “As much as we have learned from the defeat at Grimsby, I'm sure they have learnt just as much about us. Also, two months in football is a lot and so much can change. But we've got recent experience of going to that ground, so the players have a vision of what's coming and that cannot harm. We know the challenges, albeit the finer details will have changed a little."
Michael Jolley: "MK Dons are a really good side at this level. They’ve got Paul Tisdale, who is one of the best managers at this level, and he’s had great longevity and a great track record of success."
Paul Tisdale confirmed in his pre-match press conference that George Williams will miss an extended period of time due to the injury he suffered at Bury. Tisdale added that Callum Brittain is suffering from tonsillitis.
Elsewhere, if Russell Martin is to feature, he will make his Club debut, as will David Wheeler, who joined the Dons on loan on Friday.
For Grimsby, goalkeeper James McKeown will miss the game as he serves the second game of his three-match suspension.
Paul Marsden will oversee this this afternoon's clash with Grimsby Town.
It’ll be his 22nd game he’s officiated this season. Mr Marsden has issued 59 yellow cards and five reds.
His assistant referees are Declan Ford and David Benton, while the Fourth Official is Andy Haines.
MK Dons wins: 4
MK Dons wins at Blundell Park: 2
Last MK Dons win: 2-0, 30 Mar 2008 (Wembley Stadium)
Biggest MK Dons win: 3-1, 4 Nov 2006 (Blundell Park)
Draws: 1
Draws at Blundell Park: 0
Last draw: 1-1, 21 Aug 2018 (Stadium MK)
Grimsby wins: 2
Grimsby wins at Blundell Park: 1
Last Grimsby win: 3-1, 10 Nov 2018 (Blundell Park)
Biggest Grimsby win: 3-1, 10 Nov 2018 (Blundell Park)
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Tickets, which can now only be bought at Blundell Park ahead of kick-off, are priced at £21 adults and £14 seniors/students/young adults, £7 unaccompanied juniors (12-14 only) and £5 accompanied juniors.
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.
