Milton Keynes Dons will be hoping to push on from their 2-1 away win against Swindon Town when they return to StadiumMK to face promotion rivals, Wrexham, on Tuesday.
Our opponents will be feeling very confident after beating Notts County 1-0 at The Racecourse Ground, thanks to Steven Fletcher’s lone goal in the 20th minute.
However, a double for Stephen Wearne on his first league start got the Dons back to winning ways after an incredibly disappointing 4-0 loss away to Bradford City in midweek.
A win for MK Dons would put them one point away from Wrexham, who are currently sitting in the third and final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
The Red Dragons boast the best home record in the league, with the Welsh side only losing twice at the Racecourse, the first being in a 5-3 loss to MK Dons at the start of the season.
Despite a win at 24th-placed Sutton United, Wrexham haven’t won away since they beat Shrewsbury Town in their FA Cup third-round tie on the 7th of January.
MK Dons face a double-header at home against sides from Wales this week, with Mike Williamson’s side set to face Newport County on Saturday.
The Dons will have their eyes crucially on this tie in midweek, with many fans branding it as the club’s “most important” game of the season.
Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, will be fully aware of the importance of this game, knowing a win would take seven points clear of MK Dons with a game in hand on the Buckinghamshire-based club and taking them a further three points above Crewe Alexandra, who are level on points with his side.
Milton Keynes Dons’ form: WLWLW
Wrexham AFC’s form: LLLWW
Team News
MK Dons looked to play Dan Kemp up front against Swindon Town after their strikers, Ellis Harrison and Max Dean, are currently facing injury issues, but striker Matthew Dennis did make an appearance in the 67th minute.
Michael Kelly found himself between the sticks this weekend after first-choice goalkeeper Filip Marschall picked up an injury in midweek, and it is still unclear whether or not the loan goalkeeper from Aston Villa will be fit to play.
George Evans missed the game against Notts County for Wrexham after the midfielder picked up an injury in their 2-1 away win over Sutton United.
Wrexham is still facing long-lasting injuries to players such as Rob Lainton, Anthony Forde, Aaron Hayden, and Jordan Tunnicliffe.
MK Dons predicted lineup:
Kelly, Norman, O’Hora, Harvie, Lofthouse, Payne, Bate, Tomlinson, Gilbey, Wearne, Dennis
Wrexham predicted lineup:
Okonkwo, Barnett, Cleworth, O’Connell, Boyle, McClean, Jones, Cannon, Lee, Mullin, Fletcher
Prediction
It will be a highly closely contested match against two strong teams, who play very well in their respective systems. The attacking quality from Wrexham could prove difficult for MK Dons to defend against but the Dons offer a lot going forward as well, with Stephen Wearne showing his quality last weekend.
Despite not starting against Swindon Town with a recognized striker, it seems like Mike Williamson might have found a winning formula to deal with their slight injury crisis, and the possession-based football will not make it easy for the home side.
I believe that this game will be high-scoring, and it will end as a 2-2 draw at Stadium MK
