By Steve Manning
We’d like to thank Fleetmaster Group for their patronage of our Big Match Preview.
Forest Green Rovers v MK Dons The Big Match Preview
The New Lawn Stadium, Saturday 21 st January, 2023. Kick-Off – 3pm.
How they stand: Forest Green Rovers: Position – 24 of 24
Pld 26 W 5 D 6 L 15 gf 22 ga 50 gd -28 Points: 21
Top league scorer: Connor Wickham – 6 goals. (No longer at club)
Top assist provider: Corey O’Keefe – 6 assists.
Previous result:
Forest Green earned a very hard fought point away at Exeter, leaving Devon having drew 1-1 at St. James’ Park. Saturday 14 th January.
MK Dons: Position – 22 of 24
Pld W 6 D 4 L 15 gf 32 ga 54 gd -13 Points: 22
Top league scorer: Will Grigg & Brad Johnson – 5 goals
Top assist provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 assists.
Previous result:
The Dons were held to a goalless draw at Stadiummk on Saturday 14 th January against Lincoln City – in League One action.
Head to head:
FGR wins: 0 Drawn: 1 MK Dons wins: 3 FGR goals: 2 MKD goals: 5
Last Meeting: vs FGR
League One: MK Dons 1 Forest Green 0 (26/12/23) Stadiummk.
Lincoln City in Review
The “Mark” Derby ended in honours evens as Jacko’s Dons, and Kennedy’s Lincoln played out a goalless draw at le stad mk.
It was the beleaguered Dons who had bossed the stats with over 70% possession but ultimately failed to make that count against the mid-table Imps.
In a run of form where it’s hard to guess where the next point is going to come from, a point against Lincoln could prove very useful when all is said and done in May.
Lincoln themselves stretched their own winless run to five games, and would’ve been grateful to escape SMK with a share of the spoils.
Lincoln’s Jack Diamond – named as this previews one to watch – forced on-loan Chelsea stopper Jamie Cumming into action and his rebounded effort fell to Imps teammate Tom Hopper failed to put the ball past the Dons number 1.
Jamie Cumming went on to produce an even better stop Diamond after the restart.
Star striker Mo Eisa wasted an opportunity for the Dons as his header from McEachran’s cross flew wide of the post. A point gained, or two points dropped – time will tell.
How FGR could line up: Ian Burchnall likes his team’s to play an attacking style often switching between 3-4-1-2, and 3-4-3 on many occasions. Expect them to match Dons though with a 4-3-3 formation.
Possible Starting XI: Doohan (GK); O’Keefe, Casey, Cooper, Robson; McGeouch, Peart-Harris, Stevenson; Bakayoko, March, McAllister.
How Dons could line up:
The formation of choice is a flat back four with two banks of three.
Possible Starting XI: Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Lewington (c), Harvie; Devoy, B. Johnson, Smith; Barry, Eisa, Leko.
One’s to watch:
Corey O’Keefe – FGR: The right back is considered one of the brightest talents to emerge in the EFL. O’Keefe is your typical ball playing full-back who is able to join in attacks if needed, more akin to a wingback’s duties.
Daniel Harvie – Dons: Scottish fullback Harvie has had reignited interest from local rivals Peterborough United in recent days. And his performances in the colours of MK have more than justified this, Harvie can have a massive impact against FGR on Saturday.
Score Prediction:
Forest Green 1 MK Dons 2
A rare win for the Dons in Gloucestershire is my prediction.
Thank you for taking the time to have a glancing look at this edition of the Big Match Preview, hopefully it’s going to be an epic day out for all of you who are heading there.
And a massive thank you to our sponsors for supporting the previews going forward.
Until Next Time, SM.
