MK Dons v Portsmouth FC
Stadiummk, Friday 7th April 2023
EFL League One – Matchday: 40
Team and Player Stats
MK Dons – 19th
Pld 39 W 11 D 7 L 21 gf 36 ga 56 gd -20 Points: 40
Top Scorer: Mo Eisa – 9 (s)/6(L1)
Top Assists: Conor Grant – 6.
Previous result: Dons drew 2-2 with County rivals Wycombe at Adams Park.
Portsmouth FC – 9th
Pld 39 W 16 D 13 L 10 gf 54 ga 44 gd +10 Points: 61
Top Scorer: Colby Bishop – 19.
Top Assists: Joe Morrell – 5.
Previous result: Pompey beat rock bottom Forest Green Rovers 1-0 at Fratton Park.
Head to head:
Dons wins: 5 Drawn: 2 Pompey wins: 5
Dons goals: 18 Pompey goals: 17
Last meeting: Dec 17th 2022, League One: Pompey 0 Dons 2
Wycombe in review:
Jonathan Leko produced a fine finish to earn Mark Jackson’s resurgent Dons outfit a point in High Wycombe.
Milton Keynes opened the scoring after 9 mins, after Irish attacker Conor Grant found space on the edge of the Chairboys area, and squared a fine ball to Scottish wingback Daniel Harvie, who slotted home probably the easiest finish of his career.
Former Dons loanee David Wheeler equalised for the hosts, following a foul on Chem Campbell around 40 yards out from goal, Joe Jacobson sent the resulting free kick into the Dons box – Wheeler ghosted in behind the Dons backline to equalise.
It was the Dons who started the second half brightest as Paris Maghoma forced Wanderers Keeper Max Stryjek to tip his piledriver over his bar.
Wycombe had a free-kick just five mins later, Lewis Wing’s effort was blocked and fell to Gibraltar international Tjay De Barr, his hooked cross was slammed in past Cumming, by Wheeler for his brace.
Leko would have that final say in this game, taking the ball on halfway into the Wycombe half he proceeded to run with the ball beating three Chairboys players before nonchalantly putting it past Stryjek – and the Battle of Bucks finished all square.
How Dons could line-up:
Jackson has a few choices to choose from, I would say 3-4-3, but the opportunity to switch is always there for the side.
Possible Dons starting XI:
Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Lewington; Stewart, McEachran, Devoy, Harvie; Leko, Eisa, Grant.
How Pompey could line-up:
A 4-3-3 has been the go to for rookie boss John Mousinho, could stick with this formation for the trip north to SMK.
Possible Pompey starting line-up:
Macey; Rafferty, Raggett, Robertson, Ogilvie; Thompson, Morrell, Pack; Dale, Bishop, Scarlett.
Ones to watch:
Jonathan Leko – MK Dons, Attacker: Leko is currently in fine form for Jackson’s Dons. Capable of scoring all manner of goals when presented an opportunity.
Colby Bishop – Pompey, Striker: Bishop is prolific for Pompey, 19 goals for the blues has propelled his club to the periphery of the play off picture. Pompey main threat.
Score prediction:
MK Dons 2 Portsmouth 1
Match Odds supplied by talkSPORT Edge:
Dons win: 7/4 Draw: 12/5 Pompey win: 17/10
Thank you for joining me to crunch the numbers ahead of the game. Remember it’s the father of loud fanzone open inside the Marshall Arena ahead of kick off, go and check that out!
Until Next Time, SM.
