mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Grimsby Town at Blundell Park...
Two teams looking to put things right
Saturday will see two teams with points to prove going head-to-head at Blundell Park.
MK Dons go into the weekend on the back of successive defeats and with just one win to their name in their last six outings, while hosts Grimsby Town are looking to avoid a point-less January following their fourth-straight league loss in midweek.
Something has to give at the weekend and the Dons will be hoping it is them who can get back on track in Sky Bet League Two.
Opportunity to make ground
This weekend provides Paul Tisdale’s side with an opportunity to make up some lost ground on promotion rivals Bury and Lincoln City, who go head-to-head at Gigg Lane on Saturday evening.
With either or both of the teams set to drop points, a Dons victory in Cleethorpes would see them close the gap ahead of their game-in-hand against Oldham Athletic in midweek, which presents a further opportunity to make a climb.
A six-point return from the next two games, coupled with Bury dropping points to Lincoln City, and the Dons would find themselves back in the automatic promotion spots.
Paul Tisdale’s men out to end away-day hoodoo
MK Dons will be looking to end a run of four straight games without an away league win.
It would be the perfect time for Tisdale’s boys to turnaround the form, with four of their next six matches taking place on the road.
The Dons have proven they can perform well on their travels, with a 4-0 triumph at Crawley Town and 2-1 win at Oldham Athletic the standout results to date.
Third time lucky for the Dons
Paul Tisdale and his team will be hoping its third time lucky when they take on the Mariners at the weekend.
Saturday is the third meeting between the two teams this season and the Dons have yet to taste victory, after being held to a 1-1 draw at Stadium MK and having been beaten 3-1 at Blundell Park in the Emirates FA Cup.
The Dons still hold the edge head-to-head match-up having won four of the first five meetings between the two sides. They’ll want to secure a fifth triumph over Grimsby Town this weekend.
Lewington set for 700
Just seven days after playing in his 600th league game for MK Dons, Dean Lewington is in line to reach another milestone.
The captain is set to make his 700th MK Dons appearance in total - a number which includes games in the Emirates FA Cup, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and the play-offs.
It's a nice touch that the milestone will come against an opponent in Grimsby Town whom he beat in one of the standout occasions in his career - the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final success at Wembley Stadium in March 2008.
Lewington will speak to the local press on Thursday to look ahead to his milestone outing, prior to Paul Tisdale’s media address at approximately 2pm.
Quotes and videos from the pre-match press conferences will be available to view on Twitter and mkdons.com from 2pm on Thursday.
