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Match Previews

Preview: Crawley Town

All you need to know ahead of today's clash at Stadium MK...

2 March 2019

MK Dons return to Stadium MK this afternoon as they go in search of their fourth win in as many games.

Crawley Town are the visitors today, as the Red Devils make their first trip to Stadium MK since August 2014.

Gabriele Cioffi and his Crawley side have certainly proven to be a difficult side to overcome on the road this season. They recently held Bury to a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane, while ran out 1-0 winners over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.

Elsewhere, only an 88th-minute Tyler Walker goal prevented Crawley taking a point from Mansfield in January.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

THE OPPOSITION!
Crawley enter today's clash unbeaten in their last three away games after taking points from Swindon Town, Bury and Northampton Town respectively.

Although currently at the helm, Cioffi didn't start the season as Crawley manager. It was, in fact, former Harry Kewell, with the former Australian international looking to build on the foundations he had set at the Club in the previous season. He'd depart the Club for Notts County, with Cioffi named his replacement.

He arrived at The People's Pension Stadium with plenty of experience in the game, having played over 400 professional games, while he also assisted Gianfranco Zola during his time at Birmingham City back in 2016.

Ollie Palmer is currently the Red Devils top scorer, he's found the net 11 times in the league this season, while fellow striker Dominic Poleon has scored on five different occasions.

LAST TIME OUT!
Two second-half goals saw MK Dons beat Newport County at Stadium MK and secure their third straight Sky Bet League Two victory last Saturday.

The Dons, who saw a first-half penalty from Kieran Agard saved, edged in front just before the hour-mark courtesy of an Ousseynou Cisse header - his second goal of the campaign.

Paul Tisdale's men then doubled their lead through Chuks Aneke in the final minute of regulation time to seal a victory which keeps them within two points of the automatic promotion places in Sky Bet League Two.

A late Lewis Young goal ensured Crawley Town, drew 1-1 with Macclesfield Town. 

Harry Campbell had opened the scoring for Sol Campbell's side, but Young's goal six minutes from time forced the two sides to share the spoils.

 

FIGHTING TALK
Paul Tisdale: “Crawley have gone to the three teams above us and come close to getting a result against all three. They've done well against those teams. That should be a warning to the players."

TEAM NEWS 
Paul Tisdale wouldn't rule Mathieu Baudry out of today's game but the defender faces a challenge to be fit for the encounter at Stadium MK.

Elsewhere, Russell Martin should be back in contention after missing last Saturday's win over Newport County.

MK Dons will still be without George Williams, Jordan Moore-Taylor and Baily Cargill.

OFFICIALS
Thomas Bramall will take charge of today's affair. It'll be the first time he's overseen an MK Dons game.

Mr Bramall has run the rule over 35 matches this campaign, producing a total of 78 yellow cards and showing three reds.

His assistant referees are Leigh Crowhurst and Robert Atkin while the fourth official is Marc Wilson.

HEAD TO HEAD
This will be the eighth meeting between MK Dons and Crawley Town, with the Dons winning three of the previous encounters.

The last meeting between the two sides took place back in November 2018, with Paul Tisdale's side running out 4-0 winners at The People's Pension Stadium.

Crawley's last visit to Stadium MK came back in 2014.

SKY BET ODDS
Dons win - 4/7
Draw - 3/1
Crawley win - 9/2

Click HERE for more Sky Bet odds, with up to 118 more odds available for this fixture.

ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
Bury v Macclesfield Town
Crewe Alexandra v Northampton Town
Exeter City v Tranmere Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v Lincoln City
Grimsby Town v Cambridge United
Mansfield Town v Cheltenham Town
Newport County v Carlisle United
Notts County v Port Vale
Oldham Athletic v Stevenage
Swindon Town v Colchester United
Yeovil Town v Morecambe

FOLLOW IT LIVE!
Tickets are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons members. To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office/cash-only ticket booths at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.

Can’t make the match? iFollow MK Dons subscribers will have access to live audio commentary of this game - click HERE to sign up for a Monthly Pass for just £4.49 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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