Milton Keynes Dons will be hoping to better their draw in midweek against Wrexham when they welcome Newport County AFC to StadiumMK on Saturday.
The Red Dragons took the lead from a clever set-piece headed in by James McClean, but the Dons equalised four minutes later through Dan Kemp’s powerful near-post strike. Although both sides had chances to win, both teams had to settle for a point in a fiery encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Elsewhere, Newport County beat Gillingham 1-0 to win their fourth game in five, which leaves them in that weird set of teams from 7th to 15th to be within two points of the playoff spots in League Two.
The Dons will welcome an in-form side managed by Graham Coughlan to StadiumMK, aiming to put more pressure on the automatic promotion spots.
The reverse fixture at Rodney Parade saw the teams play out a 0-0 draw, in only Mike Williamson’s fourth game in charge at the club.
The Exiles have beaten Wrexham, Notts County, and Gillingham in their last five league results, which suggests the Dons should not underestimate their Welsh opponents this weekend.
Milton Keynes Dons’ form:
D W L W L
Newport County AFC’s form
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Team News
MK Dons will have to line up without defenders Dean Lewington and Cameron Norman, with the latter set to miss a clash against his former club due to injury.
Dean Lewington will miss games against Newport County, AFC Wimbledon, and Mansfield Town after the referee awarded him a straight red card for dissent against Wrexham.
Long-lasting injuries to Jack Tucker, Max Dean, and Filip Marschall will rule them out of contention for Saturday.
Newport County will be without their captain, Ryan Delaney after the central defender picked up an injury against Notts County last week.
Their win against Gillingham was only the second time their captain has missed a game, with the first coming due to suspension, so this could be a massive blow to their late playoff push.
MK Dons predicted lineup: Kelly, Lofthouse, Williams, O’Hora, Harvie, Tomlinson, Payne, Bate, Kemp, Gilbey, Wearne.
Newport County predicted lineup: Townsend, Baker, Bennett, Clarke, Mcloughlin, Morris, Wildig, Charsley, Lewis, Evans, Palmer-Houlden.
Prediction
This should not be a game that MK Dons fans take lightly. Saturday’s opponents are fully capable of causing an upset for high-flying teams and Mike Williamson will have to be careful if he wants his side to avoid a potential banana skin.
Having said that, the Dons played some very smart and intricate football against Wrexham, who looked to be very defensively strong until the eventual breakthrough.
With this in mind, Newport County’s defensive efforts might not be enough to help them get over the line, and I believe MK Dons will capitalise on Newport County as they try to transition to life in League Two without their captain.
I believe that MK Dons will just have too much quality for their opponents, and they will come away with a 2-0 win.
