By Steve Manning
MK Dons v Cambridge United Big Match Preview
Stadiummk, Saturday 11th March 2023, Kick-off: 3pm.
EFL League One, Matchday: 36 of 46.
Team and Player Statistics
MK Dons
Pld 35 W 8 D 6 L 21 gf 31 ga 54 gd -23 Points: 30
Top scorer (season): Mohamed Eisa – 8 goals.
Top scorer (league): Mohamed Eisa, Will Grigg, & Brad Johnson – 5 goals each.
Top assist provider: Dawson Devoy & Mohamed Eisa – 3 assists each.
Previous result: Dons fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Port Vale, in League One on Saturday 4th March.
Cambridge United
Pld 35 W 8 D 6 L 21 gf 27 ga 56 gd -29 Points: 30
Top scorer: Joe Ironside & Sam Smith – 6 goals.
Top Assist provider: Shilow Tracey – 3 assists.
Previous result: Saturday 4th March – Cambridge 0 Portsmouth 1
Head to head:
Dons wins: 4 Drawn: 0 U’s wins: 1
Dons goals: 12 U’s goals: 2
Last meeting:
The Abbey Stadium, 30th July 2022 – Cambridge United 1 – MK Dons 0
Port Vale in review
The Dons fell to a narrow one-nil defeat in Burslem, as Mark Jackson’s mis-firing outfit continue to sleep- walk their way into league Two for the 2022/23 season.
The Dons are now winless in six games and after Accrington’s win over Forest Green at the weekend – the defeat leaves Jacko’s men four points from safety.
Nottingham Forest loanee Aaron Donnelly prodded Vale ahead following David Worrall’s rebounded effort, and Dons were very lucky not to fall further behind as Ellis Harrison tested Jamie Cumming in the MK goalmouth.
Dons chances were few and far between, however when they did come, their best efforts came via deadball situations, with Bradley Johnson heading over from point-blank range, and Zak Jules, retrospectively banned for a punch on a Vale player, failed to convert from a Sully Kaikai corner-kick.
How Dons could line-up?
Mark Jackson could choose to roll his dice with injuries, and suspensions affecting his choices. We could see a 4-3-3 formation as he shuffles the pack against Cambridge.
Possible Dons Starting XI:
Cumming; Watson, Tucker, B. Johnson, Harvie; Smith, Robson, Devoy; Grigg, Eisa, Kaikai.
How Cambridge could line up?
Mark Bonner prefers to utilise the much loved wingback system. Employing a 4-3-1-2 formation in their defeat at home to Portsmouth last weekend.
Possible Cambridge starting XI:
Mitov; Morrison, Bennett, Jones; Bennett, McGrandles, Digby, Seddon; Lankester; Ironside, Smith.
One’s to Watch:
Mo Eisa – striker: Dons will be looking for Eisa to regain his predatory goalscoring ability against relegation rivals Cambridge.
Eisa has the pace and power to beat the U’s rearguard, he hasn’t had the luck in front of goal for the past couple of games but I expect this to change here.
Conor McGrandles – midfielder: A name that needs no introduction.
Conor has everything in his toolbox to provide a threat to the Dons patched up defence. A specialist in deadball situations, he will punish any error if presented with an opportunity.
Score Prediction:
MK Dons 1 Cambridge Utd 1
A draw between two relegation scrappers here. While I hope for a win, I can’t separate the two sides.
Match Odds supplied by ladbrokes
Dons win: 23/20 Draw: 11/5 U’s win: 5/2
Game to finish 1-1: 5/1
Thanks for joining me to crunch the numbers, and read my thoughts ahead if this Family Fun Day fixture against Cambridge.
Enjoy the game,
Until Next Time, SM.
