Find out more about Saturday's opposition...
- Form:
Following a bit of a wobble over the New Year period which saw them win just 2 games from 10, including 7 defeats - the Dons are back in-form and looking good to continue their tilt at automatic promotion. Prior to Tuesday’s shock defeat at Morecambe, the Dons had won five Sky Bet League Two games in a row.
- Squad Health:
Paul Tisdale has a defensive headache heading into Saturday’s game with a number of key defenders all ruled out. Jordan Moore-Taylor, George Williams, Baily Cargill, Mathieu Baudry and Joe Walsh are all likely to miss the fixture.
- Top Performers:
Kieran Agard is leading the way in the MK Dons goalscoring charts with 18 Sky Bet League Two goals to his name. Striker partner Chuks Aneke is just behind him on 14, making them the deadliest duo in the division this season.
34-year-old left-back and Club Captain Dean Lewington is enjoying a fine season back in the side following last season’s exile. As well as helping marshal the fourth best defence in the division, the veteran has chipped in with a team-high 8 assists.
- Key Stats:
The Dons are strong at home. No team in the league has won more home games than MK Dons – 12 out of 18.
Only Mansfield and Lincoln have an equally strong defensive record on home ground this season – all three clubs have only conceded 10 goals at home.
They are also resilient. On the 18 occasions that Milton Keynes's opponents have taken the lead this season, they have managed to score an equalizer on 8 occasions - an equalising rate of 44%.
They are however susceptible to conceding late goals. 13 of their 39 goals conceded this season have come in the final 15 minutes of games. It has been an issue away from home though, with 12 of these goals being conceded on the road.
- Journalist’s View, with Toby Lock of Milton Keynes Citizen:
Who could be MK Dons’ key player on Saturday?
“Kieran Agard is the man in form at the moment. The top-scorer this season, he has scored some scruffy goals of late, flicks, headers, goal-mouth scrambles. He is a real poacher and is in a goal-scoring mood.”
What do Stevenage have to do to beat MK Dons?
“Dons do not tend to lose many games at home, so if Stevenage are to come away with anything, they will need to get an early goal, get physical and remain solid at the back.”
What do MK Dons have to do to beat Stevenage?
“After the game at the Lamex earlier this season, we know Stevenage are a strong side, play with a lot of energy and tenacity. Dons will need to get an early foothold in the game, but also must recognise even a two-goal lead might not be enough to relax on.”
Result Prediction?
“After a stinging result on Tuesday night against Morecambe, Dons will be eager to bounce back. Stevenage are always a thorn in Dons' side though, and the games are always a bit dicey. I'm going with a 2-1 Dons win, but it will be on a knife-edge throughout.”
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