By Steve Manning
Bristol Rovers v MK Dons – The Big Match Preview brought to you by Fleetmaster Group – Fleet Driver Training Solutions
The Memorial Stadium, Saturday 4th February 2023 – Kick-Off: 3pm.
Form
Bristol Rovers – Position: 12 of 24
Pld 28 W 10 D 7 L 11 gf 43 ga 50 gd -7 Points: 37
Top Scorer: Aaron Collins – 14 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Aaron Collins – 10 assists.
Previous result: The Gas were destroyed by Morecambe 5-1 at the Mazuma Stadium, Saturday 28th February.
MK Dons – Position: 20 of 24
Pld 28 W 7 D 4 L 17 gf 24 ga 41 gd -15 Points: 25
Top Scorer: Will Grigg & Brad Johnson – 5 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 assists.
Previous result: The Dons lost 2-0 to Exeter City at home, Saturday 28th February.
Head to head
Bristol Rovers wins: 6 Drawn: 3 Dons wins: 9 Rovers goals: 19 Dons goals: 24
Last meeting: December 13 2022, Papa John’s Trophy – Bristol Rovers 4 MK Dons 1.
Shrewsbury in Review
Former Dons graduates Jevani Brown, and Sam Nombe combined to inflict another defeat on beleaguered MK Dons at Stadiummk, leaving Mark Jackson’s side teetering on the periphery of League One’s danger zone.
Brown gave the Grecian’s a fortuitous lead from 12 yards out (37 mins), beating loanee Jamie Cumming from the spot, after former Dons frontman Sam Nombe was brought down by Zak Jules’ reckless challenge.
Exeter’s Brown doubled the lead (67 mins) over Jackson’s Dons after springing the offside trap to fire in past Cumming and condemn MK Dons to a seventeenth League One defeat of the campaign.
The Dons had again started the contest strongest, as they did last time out, Dons should have gone in front when Mo Eisa was put through on goal, but he somehow fluffed his lines with the gaping goal in front of him.
Daniel Harvie and Brad Johnson also wasted opportunities from distance, while Johnson failed again to score as his headed effort narrowly went over at the end of the first half.
Striker Eisa missed two other easy chances in the second forty-five, as the wasteful Dons failed to properly test Exeter’s Andresson in the Devon side’s goalmouth.
Next up, Bristol Rovers who themselves were soundly routed by Morecambe away in Lancashire.
How Rovers could line up:
Despite losing 5-1 to relegation candidates Morecambe, I’m expecting Barton to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation against The Dons.
Possible Rovers starting XI: 4-2-3-1
Belshaw;
Connolly, Bogarde, Quansah, Gibbons;
Coutts (c), Finley;
Sinclair, Collins, Evans;
Coburn.
How Dons could line up:
Mark Jackson could persevere with the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 combination at Bristol Rovers.
Possible Dons starting XI: 4-2-3-1
Cumming;
Watson, Stewart, Jules, Harvie;
B. Johnson, Devoy;
Kaikai, Leko, Maghoma;
Eisa.
One’s to Watch:
Aaron Collins – Striker/Attacking Midfielder: Rovers’ top scorer, and the league one top goals contributor is the third tier’s hottest property at the moment. His early season form had Rovers firmly in the play-off race, a dangerous prospect for the Gas.
Anthony Stewart – Defender: The Dons newest signing has everything you want in a centre-back. He was part of the Wycombe Wanderers squad who won promotion to the Championship in 2020. His ability in the tackle will help shore up a very leaky defence for Jackson’s side.
Score Prediction:
Bristol Rovers 1 MK Dons 1
Two out of form sides go head to head in the west country, expect each other to cancel themselves out at the Mem.
Match Odds supplied by Ladbrokes
Bristol Rovers win: 5/4 Draw: 23/10 Dons win: 21/10
Correct result – 1-1: 11/2 First Goalscorer (Dons): No Goalscorer – 9/5 Mo Eisa & Will Grigg – 3/1 jf
Thanks for joining me to preview the fixture against Bristol Rovers, if you are travelling west with the team then enjoy the game.
I’m back with another Big Match Preview ahead of our home clash with Oxford United next week!
Until Next Time, SM.
