MK Dons are back on the road this afternoon as they travel to Macclesfield Town in search of their fifth straight Sky Bet League Two
Paul Tisdale’s men have moved to within two points of the automatic promotion places courtesy of victories over Newport County (twice), Carlisle United and Crawley Town within the last four weeks.
The Dons, enjoying their best winning run since 2015, have worked themselves in a position to pounce on any slip-ups from the top three, and will be hoping that today provides the opportunity to make their move back into the promotion spots.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION!
Macclesfield Town head into this fixture winless in their last six games but boasting a strong home record.
The Silkmen, currently four points adrift of safety in Sky Bet League Two, have lost just one of their last nine matches at the Moss Rose. They have picked up points in the majority of their home games and have scored 18 times.
Striker Scott Wilson is their lead talisman, with the 26-year-old on 10 goals for the season, with nine of those coming in his last 14 appearances.
Harry Smith and Koby Arthur are also attacking threats while goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, on loan from Manchester United, has been named in the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for his form at the other end of the pitch.
LAST TIME OUT!
Kieran Agard's first-half goal and a third clean sheet in four games earned MK Dons a fourth straight Sky Bet League Two win last Saturday.
Agard's decisive goal came in the closing stages of the first half, as he raced onto a long ball forward from goalkeeper Stuart Moore and netted his 17th of the campaign.
Sol Campbell and his Macclesfield Town side travelled to Bury last weekend, where they were beaten 3-0 by the promotion-chasing Shakers.
Nicky Maynard opened the scoring before late goals from Jay O'Shea and Scott Wharton secured all three points for Bury.
FIGHTING TALK!
Paul Tisdale: “The cliché of football is that it's all about the next game, it's a cliché but it's true. Regardless of how we've played in the last four, there are three points available on Saturday. We feel a lot better for ourselves, but the trap is getting complacent."
Sol Campbell: "We have got two home games, they are hard games for sure, but the main thing for me is character. I have been in this position before and you have got to really want it. Hopefully we can do that, and I expect that to happen. Fighting for every single inch on the pitch."
TEAM NEWS!
Paul Tisdale is expecting to field a similar squad to last weekend but didn't rule out the possibility of having any of his injured players back available.
He will, though, still be without the services of long-term absentee George Williams.
OFFICIALS!
Charles Breakspear will take charge of today's affair. It'll be the first third he's overseen an MK Dons game this season.
He most recently run the rule over a Dons game on New Year's Day - MK Dons' 6-0 win over Cambridge United.
Mr Breakspear has officiated 35 matches this campaign, producing a total of 112 yellow cards and showing 12 reds.
His assistant referees are Declan Ford and Mark Griffiths while the fourth official is Paul Graham.
HEAD TO HEAD!
This will be the seventh meeting between MK Dons and Macclesfield Town, with the Dons winning four of the previous encounters, and Town coming out on top in the other two.
The last meeting between the two sides took place back in November and it was Paul Tisdale's side who ran out 2-0 victors at Stadium MK.
MK Dons last visit to the Moss Rose came back in August 2007. That afternoon saw a six-goal thriller, during which Paul Ince's Dons side surrendered a one-goal lead before fighting back from 3-1 down to salvage a 3-3 draw.
SKY BET ODDS!
Dons win - 10/11
Draw - 5/2
Macclesfield Town win - 11/4
Click HERE for more Sky Bet odds, with up to 118 more odds available for this fixture.
ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO!
Northampton Town v Exeter City
Cambridge United v Oldham Atletic
Carlisle United v Swindon Town
Cheltenham Town v Notts County
Colchester United v Newport County
Crawley Town v Grimsby Town
Morecambe v Forest Green Rovers
Port Vale v Mansfield Town
Stevenage v Bury
FOLLOW IT LIVE!
Tickets for today's game can be bought at the Moss Rose ahead of kick-off. Tickets are available in both standing and seated areas, with prices starting from £15 adults, £12 seniors/under-25s, £6 under-18s and £3 under-12s.
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.
