Preview: MK Dons vs. Lincoln City - prediction, team news, lineups

With the automatic promotion places within touching distance, MK Dons will be keen to continue their strong run of form when Lincoln City make the journey to Stadium MK on Saturday afternoon.

Still without their League One status secured, Lincoln can ill-afford any more slip-ups, with this weekend's clash teetering on a must-win for either side.

Match preview

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While they may have played three games more than second-placed Wigan Athletic, MK Dons are currently four points behind the Lancashire club with just over a quarter of the season remaining.

Having been amongst the playoff picture for the majority of the campaign, Liam Manning will be keen to see his side finish the campaign strong, while pushing the automatic promotion chasers up until the last minute of the final game.

A Championship club as recently 2015-16, the Milton Keynes-based outfit do boast second-tier pedigree, with the Dons eyeing up a return next season.

Things may have looked much better for MK Dons had they not lost a surprise battle with bottom-placed Doncaster Rovers two weeks ago – a result that saw them lose touch slightly with the top-three.

The good news for Manning's men, all three sides above them have also dropped points in recent weeks, suggesting that there still remains hope for MK Dons to bridge the gap.

Elsewhere in League One, the relegation battle refuses to die down, with a number of sides entering the final three months of the season under threat of the drop.

One of those teams is, of course, Lincoln, who head into the weekend a mere three points above 21st-placed Morecambe.

Granted, the Imps do boast two games in hand on most of their relegation rivals, but as seen far too often in seasons gone by, having those points on the board is definitely the stronger position to be in.

Regular meetings between the pair have taken place in recent years, with neither side being able to establish themselves as the superior side.

Winners last time out in the reverse fixture earlier this year, MK Dons will be keen to complete a league double over Lincoln for the first time since 2008-09.

Team News

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Jamie Cumming will line up between the sticks for MK Dons once again, with their usual back-three of Harry Darling, Warren O'Hora and Dean Lewington just in front.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will be keen to see how loanee Troy Parrott ends the season, with the striker having established himself in the MK Dons starting XI.

The 19-year-old will be eyeing up a fourth league goal of the campaign, as support from Scott Twine and Theo Corbeanu comes either side.

Undoubtedly, Lincoln's biggest goal threats will come in the shape of John Marquis and Anthony Scully, who have both chipped in for the Imps this season.

Liam Cullen is expected to anchor the Lincoln midfield once again, with centre-back duo Regan Poole and Adam Jackson operating just behind.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; O'Hara, Darling, Lewington; Watson, McEachran, Coventry, Harvie; Corbeanu, Parrott, Twine

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Bishop, Poole, Jackson, Bramall; Cullen, McGrandles, Fiorini; Whittaker, Marquis, Scully

We say: MK Dons 2-0 Lincoln City

MK Dons are the side in the ascendancy heading into the clash and will be confident that their home support can take them to yet another victory.

Expect the hosts to achieve a simple win against a Lincoln side in danger of being dragged further and further into a relegation scrap.