We take a look at our League One fixture with the former Baseballers in our Big Match Preview.
By Steve Manning
Venue: Stadiummk (capacity: 30,500 for football)
Competition: EFL League One – Matchday: 17 of 46.
Form:
The Dons – Pos: 21 st Pld 16 W 4 D 2 L 10 gf 15 ga 22 gd -7 Pts: 14
Top league scorer: Will Grigg – 5 goals.
Top assist provider: Dawson Devoy – 2 assists.
Previous result: Dons progressed to the Carabao Cup 4th Round after easing past fellow League 1 strugglers
Morecambe 2-0 at Stadiummk on Tuesday evening (08/11/2022)
Derby County – Pos: 7 th Pld 16 W 7 D 4 L 5 gf 20 ga 15 gd +5 Pts: 25
Top League Scorer: James Collins – 5 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – 4 assists.
Previous result: Derby were edged out by Liverpool 3-2 on penalties, after the Rams held the premier league giants to a goalless draw at Anfield, in midweek.
Last meeting between Dons and Derby: EFL Championship: February 13 th 2016 – Derby County 0 The Dons 1 (iProStadium, att: 30,075)
Head to head:
Dons wins – 1 Drawn – 0 Derby win – 1 Dons goals – 2 Derby goals 3.
Morecambe round-up:
MK Dons moved into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, by comfortably seeing off fellow League One strugglers Morecambe at StadiumMK.
Goals from Warren O’Hora, and Matthew Dennis were enough for the Dons to progress in a second cup competition in four days, as the Shrimps offered next to nothing in reply.
Dons should have led early on as Tennai Watson was denied by Connor Ripley, who then saved from Ethan Robson before Jack Tucker’s rebound trickled against the post. But their pressure paid off after 18 minutes as centre-back O’Hora buried a sweetly-struck volley in off the post after
Morecambe failed to clear Robson’s corner.
Five minutes into the second half, the Dons doubled their lead when half-time substitute Dennis ran onto Darragh Burns’ pass, and finished past Ripley, despite being pulled back by Ferrand Rawson.
Dennis almost had a quick second when his shot was parried by Ripley, before Bradley Johnson bent an effort just wide on what was a straightforward evening for the hosts.
How Dons could line-up?
Dons will line up I’m expecting the usual 3 at the back with wingbacks dropping back to form a 5 when defending. 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-1-2 would suit this team the most, Manning and Hogg have kept teams guessing many times this season.
Possible Dons starting XI:
1 Jamie Cumming; 5 Warren O’Hora, 3. Dean Lewington, 33. Zak Jules; 2 Tennai Watson, 7. Matt Smith, 28. Dawson Devoy, 21. Daniel Harvie; 19 Louie Barry, 20. Darrag Burns; 9 Will Grigg.
How Derby could line-up?
Derby County under Paul Warne play 5 at the back, and switch between an ultra defensive 5-4-1, and a more attacking 5-4-2 formation.
Possible Derby starting XI:
Wildsmith;
Smith, Rooney, Forsyth (c), Roberts, Sibley;
Mendez-Laing, Bird, Hourihane, Osula; McGoldrick.
One’s to Watch
Matt Smith – The Dons: Dons number seven is riding the crest of a wave at the moment. He is preparing to fly out to Qatar with the Welsh squad, and his country’s first appearance at the biggest tournament on earth for 64 years. Smith has no fear and soon the world will know what the Dragons have in their ranks. If Smith features expect a display that is second to nothing.
Will Osula – Derby County: Will Osula is ranked highly by his current employers at Pride Park, Paul Warne has a live wire with bags of pace, incredible levels of ability on the ball that he can use to hurt opposition defences. His crossing of the ball has led to several goal scoring assists and the youngster has already made a big impression with some all-round very good performances in the colours of the Rams this season.
Score Prediction
The Dons 1 Derby County 1
A draw is the likeliest outcome for this match-up, I’m predicting a 1-1 score draw with the resurgent Dons taking a point from Derby here.
Goal-scorer? Matt Smith – what better way to sign off from club duty before going to the biggest tournament in world football, but score his 3rd league goal of the campaign for the Dons.
Match Odds supplied by Oddschecker:
Dons win: 13/5 Draw: 12/5 Rams win: 21/20 Game to finish 1-1: 5/1 Both Teams to Score: 7/10
Thank you for reading the MKDSA match preview as usual hopefully I’ve whetted your appetite for the game ahead!
Remember you can still register for the Supporters Association and become a member and claim our exclusive 10% offer on all purchases made at the MKDSA Shop adjacent to Lewingtons bar above Gate 5.
Members have until the shop closes at around 2:45pm on Saturday, to redeem the offer simply by showing their confirmation email of membership, or their physical card to claim their discount on purchases.
If you are going to the game, safe travels to you all and COYD!
Until Next Time, SM.
