Stadiummk, Saturday 15th April 2023 EFL League One.
Matchday: 42
Team and Player Statistics
MK Dons – Position: 19
Pld 41 W 11 D 9 L 21 gf 38 ga 58 gd -20 Points: 42
Top scorer: Mo Eisa – 10 goals.
Top assists: Grant – 6 assists.
Previous result: Dons snatched a credible 1-1 draw away at Derby on Easter Monday.
Cheltenham Town – Position: 16
Pld 40 W 12 D 10 L 18 gf 34 ga 50 gd -16 Points: 46
Top scorer: Alfie May – 15 goals.
Top assists: Ryan Jackson – 4 assists.
Previous result: Cheltenham drew 1-1 with promotion chasing Ipswich Town, at home on Easter Monday.
Head to head:
Dons wins: 6 Drawn: 2 Cheltenham wins: 2 Dons goals: 22 Robins goals: 13
Last meeting: 29 October 2022, EFL League One. Completely x Suzuki Stadium.
Cheltenham Town 0 MK Dons 0
Derby in review:
MK Dons boosted their League One survival hopes, with a true to form one-all draw away at Derby County on Easter Monday.
David McGoldrick – marked as my one to watch in our Derby preview -opened the scoring with his his 21st goal of the season to givek the play-off chasing Rams the lead. And it would be an unlikely equaliser from Henry Lawrence that earned the unlikeliest of Points from a game many had written off before a ball had been kicked in anger.
The point increased the gap to the drop zone below, to four points in favour of Mark Jackson’s relegation scrappers.
Jamie Cumming again formed the great wall of MK, keeping out two chances from striker James Collins after 120 seconds, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after 15 minutes.
An expected lead for Derby was secured after 17 mins of play when the aforementioned McGoldrick crashed in his goal – following Collins’ flick on from a corner.
Dons struggled to make it out of their own half, Cumming again kept his side in the contest when saving from both Collins, again, and from Tom Barkhuizen.
It took until 69 mins for the travelling Dons to make headway in this scrappy affair, but when they did it took their hosts by surprise. Nathan Holland who ran the ball deep into Derby territory whipped in a cross for Chelsea loanee Henry Lawrence, who drilled from from 10 yards out.
The Dons saw out the game, including nine minutes of added on time, to claim a precious point in their fight for survival.
How could Dons line-up?
3-4-3 / 5-2-3 would be my prediction, Jackson will set this up to nullify Cheltenham’s attacking threat.
Possible Dons starting XI:
Cumming; Jules, Tucker, Lewington; Watson, Devoy, McEachran, Stewart; Leko, Eisa, Grant.
How Robins could line-up?
3-4-1-2, or a 3-4-3 could be the weapon of choice for Robins boss Elliott.
Possible Robins starting XI:
Southwood; Long, Bradbury, Freestone; Broom, Sercombe, Bonda, Williams; Olaynika; May, Goodwin.
Ones to watch?
Jamie Cumming – Who else? Mr. Consistent will play a big part in helping the side against Town.
Alfie May – Cheltenham’s top scorer is your typical fox in the box – give him a sniff at goal and he is not afraid to take it.
Score prediction:
MK Dons 2 Cheltenham 1
Another step closer to safety.
Match Odds supplied by talkSPORT Edge:
Dons win: 11/10 – Draw: 9/4 – Robins win: 3/1.
Thanks again for allowing me to give you the low-down ahead of our home fixture with Cheltenham.
Remember to check out the new fans village outside of gate 5, ahead of the game. Please get behind this initiative and show the club that this pilot event can succeed!
Until Next Time, SM.
