The Big Match Preview with Fleetmaster: Exeter City

By Steve Manning

MK Dons v Exeter City – The Big Match Preview with thanks to Fleetmaster for their support.
Saturday 28th January 2023, Stadiummk – Kick-Off: 3pm.
Competition: EFL League One – Matchday: 28 of 46
Form:
MK Dons – Position: 19 of 24
Pld 27 W 7 D 4 L 16 gf 25 ga 38 gd -13 Pts: 25
Top Scorer: Will Grigg & Brad Johnson – 5 goals each.
Top Assist Provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 assists.
Previous result: The Dons succumbed to a late 1-0 defeat against Shrewsbury Town at home – Tuesday 24/01/23 –despite looking like gaining a point against play-off chasing Salop.
Exeter City – Position: 13 of 24
Pld 27 W 9 D 8 L 10 gf 39 ga 39 gd 0 Pts: 35
Top Scorer: Sam Nombe – 11 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Jevani Brown – 9 assists.
Previous result: Gary Caldwell’s Grecians lost 2-0 away at Portsmouth in League One action (21/01/23)
Head-to-head
Dons wins: 7 drawn: 2 Exeter wins: 2 Dons goals: 19 Exeter goals: 12
Last Meeting:
Sept 3rd 2022 – Exeter City 1 MK Dons 0, St.James’ Park (Exeter) – EFL League One.
Shrewsbury in review:
It was an afternoon of mixed emotions inside Stadiummk for those of an MK Dons persuasion, as on the cusp of 89 minutes Shrewsbury completed a last gasp smash and grab on Mark Jackson’s men.

Dons had dominated possession during the game but ultimately failed to finish any of their attacking forays into the Salop box off. who had little of the ball at Stadium MK. This defeat leaves The Dons sitting in 19th place a point above the drop zone but having played more games.

It was Dons who started the contest in control – and if it was not for Salop custodian Marko Marosi preventing Mo Eisa’s curling effort from finding the net following his effort from outside of the Shrewsbury area MK Dons could’ve taken the lead.

New signing Jonathan Leko was the next to attempt an effort on the visitors goalmouth, his effort on the half hour mark flew over Marosi’s bar without troubling the keeper.

Mark Jackson’s Dons side continued to subject Shrewsbury to pressure after play resumed in the second half with star striker Mo Eisa having his free-kick deflected over the Town goal. Chances after that were sparse for the rejuvenated home side as they continued to school Shrewsbury on the pitch.

With the clock running down though, and Shrewsbury desperate for the 3 points they needed to keep up an unlikely play-off push, Ryan Bowman found Tom Bayliss who smashed the ball past a helpless Jamie Cumming to complete a smash and grab on the Dons.

So defeat it was, but the positives to take from the game are plentiful.
How Dons could line up:
Depending who gets the nod to start in this game we are looking at one of three here, 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Possible Dons starting XI:
Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Jules, Harvie; B. Johnson, Devoy; Kaikai, Smith, Leko Eisa
One to watch (Dons):
Sullay Kaikai – Striker/Winger: This is a player I’ve longed for this club to take a chance in for a long while. The Sierra Leone International adds experience and pace to Jackson’s front line and should he make an appearance against Exeter could be a factor in which way the result goes. Watch this space.
How Exeter could line up:
Gary Caldwell likes to utilise the wingback system, lately his preference has been a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Possible Exeter starting XI:
Lee; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Kite, Collins, Sparkes; Key; Stansfield, Nombe.
One to watch (Exeter):
Sam Nombe – Striker: Sam Nombe needs no introduction to Dons fans. The former Academy graduate has developed into a reliable source of goals for Exeter since making the move to Devon.
I’m expecting Nombe to make an impact against Dons in this game if he features.
Score Prediction:
MK Dons 2 Exeter City 1
The loss of Jamal Blackman to injury for Exeter could be enough to help Dons secure the 3 points on Saturday afternoon.
Match Odds supplied by Ladbrokes:
Dons Win: 13/8 Draw: 11/5 Exeter win: 17/10
Correct score – Dons to win 2-1: 17/2
First Goalscorer (Dons): Mo Eisa & Will Grigg – 9/2 (joint fav)
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