By Steve Manning
Venue: Stadiummk (capacity: 30,500)
Competition: EFL League One – Matchday: 20 of 46
Form
The Dons – Position 22 nd : Pld 19 W 4 D 3 L 12 gf 28 ga 39 gd -11 Pts: 15
Top Scorer (League): Will Grigg – 5 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 Assists.
Previous result: Dons 1 Burton 1
Fleetwood Town – Position 18 th : Pld 20 W 4 D 11 L 5 gf 21 ga 20 gd +1 Pts: 23
Top Scorer (League): Ellis Harrison – 7 (2 for Port Vale)
Top Assist Provider: Shaun Rooney – 3 assists.
Previous result: Ipswich Town 1 Fleetwood 1
Head-to-head:
Dons wins: 5 Drawn: 4 Fleetwood wins: 2
Dons goals: 17 Fleetwood goals: 11
Last meeting:
February 8 th 2022, League One – Fleetwood Town 1 MK Dons 1 (at Highbury Stadium)
Burton reviewed:
Bradley Johnson saved his side from propping up the third tier, and gave Liam Manning a stay of execution as the winless run continued.
Visitors Burton led through Victor Adeboyejo’s 11 th goal season, on 29 mins, as he scored from 12 yards out. Johnson’s header powered the Dons level earning a precious point in the fight to stay up in League One.
Adeboyejo, and Borthwick-Jackson both tested the Dons goal early on though with the former having an effort saved by the highly rated Cumming.
Dons striker Eisa went close for the Dons, when he powered an effort wide, Midfielder McEachran put in a clumsy and reckless challenge on Burton’s Nbada that gifted the Brewers a spot kick, and Adeboyejo needed no invite to slot the ball home.
Irish midfielder Conor Grant saw an effort deflect wide and wingback Daniel Harvie was denied by Burton keeper Garratt,
Substitute Will Grigg went close to scoring his 6 th of the league campaign, but it was veteran Johnson, who headed in Dawson Devoy’s whipped cross into the brewers box, that guaranteed the points were shared at Stadiummk.
How Dons could line up: There is scope to play a four at the back if Liam wants to, the three at the back could also prove effective against the Cod Army, especially with the two wingbacks dropping back to support them.
Possible Dons starting XI:
• 1. Jamie Cumming;
• 5. Warren O’Hora, 3. Dean Lewington (c), 33. Zak Jules;
• 2. Tennai Watson, 14. Brad Johnson, 6. Josh McEachran, 21. Daniel Harvie;
• 9. Will Grigg, 10. Mo Eisa, 11. Nathan Holland.
How Fleetwood could line up:
Three at the back, with two wingbacks in support of the backline.
Possible Cod Army starting XI:
Jay Lynch;
22. Aristote Nsiala, 18. Harrison Holgate, 6. Darnell Johnson;
26. Shaun Rooney, 16. Lewis Warrington, 8. Josh Vela (c), 10. Callum Morton;
11. Paddy Lane;
20. Promise Omochere, 19. Ged Garner.
Ones to watch:
Jamie Cumming – The Dons: On-Loan keeper Cumming could be the difference here between taking points or taking another loss against Scott Brown’s Fleetwood. The Chelsea stopper has been one of the most consistent players in the first XI during the campaign so far. A big performance could be on the cards.
Callum Morton – Fleetwood Town: Morton has been filling in at left wingback under Scott Brown lately. His performances down the left side of midfield have been a major part of Fleetwood edging away from the drop zone. Possesses excellent ability on the ball, and the vision off the ball to go with it.
Score Prediction:
The Dons 2 Fleetwood 2
A draw is the most likely out come from this encounter, a point on the board.
Match Odds:
Dons win: 23/20 Draw: 11/5 Fleetwood win: 12/5
Game to end in a 2-2 draw: 14/1
Thank you for joining me again to read the big match preview. If you are off to the game – safe travels and enjoy the game!
Until Next Time, SM
