Preview: MK Dons vs. Burton Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

MK Dons and Burton Albion meet on Saturday afternoon in a match which could prove pivotal to their respective League One campaigns.

Both clubs currently sit six points adrift of safety in the third tier and risk being cut further away from 20th position with a defeat.

Match preview

© Reuters

On the back of flirting with promotion last season, MK Dons supporters would have been confident of a similar campaign this term, but they continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.

Liam Manning's side have lost seven of their most recent nine outings in League One, their last two league fixtures ending in 3-1 defeats to Derby County and Barnsley respectively.

Prior to those defeats, MK Dons had possessed a respectable defensive record, but they conceded another three goals in an FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth last weekend.

As it stands, MK Dons are in the more favourable position of the bottom four teams due to their game in hand, yet that scenario will change if they succumb to yet another defeat on Saturday.

However, you have to go all the way back to August 20 for the last time that MK Dons did not lose a home game in the third tier.

As far as Burton are concerned, they have made considerable progress since the appointment of Dino Maamria, with seven wins and five draws coming from 17 matches in charge.

Like their hosts, the Brewers sit six points adrift of safety, but Burton have gone five matches without defeat in all competitions, leading to an appearance in the FA Cup third round.

Burton have received two favourable draws at home to non-league duo Needham Market and Chippenham Town, yet it has provided Maamria's side with the chance to build some momentum.

Benefitting from five home matches in succession, a total of 14 goals have been scored, but it cannot be ignored that the Staffordshire outfit still possess the worst away record in League One, earning just five points from nine trips elsewhere.

Team News

© Reuters

Bradley Johnson is an injury concern for MK Dons after needing to be withdrawn during the closing quarter at Fratton Park.

With Josh McEachran having previously been substituted at half time, Manning could bring Conor Grant and Ethan Robson into his starting lineup.

Mohamed Eisa will retain his place in attack having scored three goals in his most recent five outings.

Maamria may see no reason to make any changes to the Burton XI which thrashed Chippenham by a 6-1 scoreline last weekend.

Although Sam Winnall scored twice as a substitute, the fact that eight of his nine outings in the league have come from the bench make it likely that he remains as a reserve for this contest.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Watson, O'Hora, Tucker, Harvie; Grant, Robson; Burns, Devoy, Holland; Eisa

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Garratt; Hamer, Brayford, Mariappa, Borthwick-Jackson; Oshilaja, Taylor; Smith, Keillor-Dunn, Kamwa; Adeboyejo

We say: MK Dons 2-1 Burton Albion

Given their respective form, neither team will feel particularly confident about collecting maximum points at the weekend. Nevertheless, despite Burton heading into this fixture on the back of two draws, MK Dons remain the favourites and could edge the game by the odd goal in three.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.