Preview: MK Dons vs. Fleetwood Town - prediction, team news, lineups

MK Dons and Fleetwood Town are both looking to end a four-game winless run in League One when they lock horns at Stadium MK on Saturday.

The hosts are currently five points from safety, while the Cods are six points clear of the relegation places.

Match preview

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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.

Bradley Johnson's late equaliser last time out prevented the Dons from slipping to the bottom of League One after a battling 1-1 draw with fellow relegation strugglers Burton Albion.

Victor Adeboyejo's 29th-minute penalty - his 11th goal of the season - put the Brewers on course for a precious win, but Johnson pounced with a header six minutes from time to rescue a priceless point.

Liam Manning's side currently sit in 22nd place in League One, five points adrift of safety, although they do have a game in hand. However, the Dons have lost seven of their most recent 10 outings in the league.

Conceding goals has been a problem for the League One outfit in recent weeks; prior to that draw with Burton, MK Dons conceded three goals in the league defeats to Derby County and Barnsley, as well as in the FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth.

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

Meanwhile, Fleetwood come into this match without a win in four League One games, sitting 18th in the table with 23 points from 20 fixtures under Scott Brown.

The former Celtic captain has endured a mixed start to life at the Highbury Stadium, though Fleetwood have been defeated just twice on the road this campaign in the league, which will give Brown confidence that they can claim a result at Stadium MK.

In their most recent outing against title-chasing Ipswich Town, the Cods snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw when substitute Cain Hayes's shot took a wicked deflection, struck the post and ended up in the back of the net in the closing moments.

There was still time for late drama even after the goal, as the visitors were reduced to 10 men at the death when Josh Earl was shown a red card.

Brown will be hoping his side can put an end to this poor run of form here as a victory could see them move into the top half of the table.

Team News

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The Dons made one change from last weekend's FA Cup tie against Burton, with Conor Grant replacing Bradley Johnson in midfield, but the latter could start here after his late equaliser last time out.

Dean Lewington also missed out through injury against the Brewers, so he is expected to be absent once again this weekend.

As for the visitors, Paddy Lane had to be substituted early against Ipswich having suffered a knock, but he could feature here.

Josh Earl will be suspended for this game after being shown a red card in the final moments of the game against the Tractor Boys.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

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

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Nsiala, Holgate, Earl; Rooney, Batty, Vela, Warrington, Morton; Gomes, Garner

We say: MK Dons 0-1 Fleetwood Town

Given their respective form, neither team will feel particularly confident about collecting maximum points at the weekend.

Nevertheless, MK Dons have been unable to avoid defeat on their home patch since August, so we think Fleetwood could edge this game.

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