Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League Two clash between MK Dons and Grimsby Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams with contrasting stakes go head-to-head this weekend at Stadium MK, as MK Dons look to build on recent momentum against a Grimsby Town side battling to cling onto the final playoff berth.
The Dons registered their first win under new manager Paul Warne with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra last weekend, with the result confirming their League Two status for another season and finally halting a six-match winless run.
Match preview
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Warne, who took over on April 15, had earlier overseen a goalless draw against Newport County to stop the rot of four straight defeats and now finds his side unbeaten in two and with consecutive clean sheets for the first time in this campaign.
Currently sitting 18th on the table with 50 points from 14 wins, eight draws and 22 defeats, the Dons are 11 points clear of the relegation zone with just two games to spare and will already be casting eyes towards a much-improved campaign next term after the disappointment of failing to build on last season’s fourth-place finish.
Their immediate focus, however, is on wrapping up this term on a positive note, and MK will take confidence from a 3-1 success in the reverse fixture when they welcome Grimsby this Saturday, although it is worth noting that their last two home meetings with the Mariners both ended 1-1.
The Dons are without victory in their last three matches in front of their crowd — drawing the last two 2-2 — and that slump has seen them register just eight league victories at Stadium MK this season, alongside five draws and nine defeats, with an even return of 25 goals scored and 25 conceded at the ground.
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For Grimsby Town, the stakes could not be clearer — two wins from their remaining matches would secure a playoff spot, but any slip-up could open the door for Colchester United, Salford City or Chesterfield to snatch that prized position.
The Mariners sit seventh on 67 points from 20 victories, seven draws and 17 losses, holding slender cushions of one, two and three points over Colchester, Salford and Chesterfield, respectively, making the trip to Milton Keynes one of defining importance.
Grimsby’s Achilles heel has been their porous backline, with 66 goals conceded — the most among any side in the top three-quarters of the division — and only MK Dons (66), Newport County (70) and Accrington Stanley (68) outside the relegation zone have let in as many.
That vulnerability came to the fore in their last outing, when David Artell‘s men squandered a two-goal lead at Port Vale to draw 2-2, extending their winless streak to three matches and leaving them with a -5 goal difference that could prove costly if final positions come down to that measure.
Despite their recent struggles, Grimsby rank as the fourth-best travellers in the league, having picked up 34 points from 22 games on the road, and will be hoping that strong away form can carry them across the line.
MK Dons League Two form:
Grimsby Town League Two form:
Team News
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Warne is expected to retain the same starting eleven that has helped him avoid defeat in his first two games as MK Dons manager.
However, defender Nathan Thompson looks set to miss the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury, while Sam Sherring remains sidelined.
As for the visitors, Donovan Wilson is unavailable as he continues his recovery from a hamstring issue, while Cameron Gardner also misses out with a thigh problem.
Justin Obikwu, Lewis Cass and Jayden Luker are all ruled out as well, with the trio still undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, Danny Rose, who netted a brace last weekend, is expected to lead the line once more as he seeks to add to his league tally of 14 goals.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Offord, Sanders, Maguire; Tomlinson, Thompson-Sommers, Lemonheigh-Evans, Nemane; Kelly, Leko; Hogan
Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Tharme, Rodgers, Warren; Hume, Khouri, Green, Svanthórsson; McEachran; Vernam, Rose
We say: MK Dons 0-1 Grimsby Town
While Grimsby have only won once in all four visits to MK Dons, their greater urgency in the playoff race could see them edge this encounter, especially with the hosts showing more defensive discipline of late, which may keep the scoreline tight.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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