MK Dons will have the opportunity to move out of the League One relegation zone when they host Lincoln City at Stadium MK on Saturday afternoon.
The home side are currently 23rd, three points from safety, while the visitors are firmly rooted in mid-table, sitting in 16th place after 24 games played.
Match preview
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After reaching the League One playoff semi-finals last season, MK Dons fans would have been hopeful that they could go one better this time around, but instead they find themselves in real trouble at the other end of the table.
The Dons have acquired just 21 points from their opening 24 games, but they have the opportunity to escape the top four with a victory, depending on how Burton Albion, Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United get on in their matches.
Strangely, it is MK Dons' home form that is the root cause of their struggles in the third tier, picking up eight points in 12 games, the worst record of any side in the division, although they did win in their last match on their own patch.
After being appointed as manager just a few days prior, Mark Jackson got off the mark with a vital 1-0 win against Forest Green Rovers, the side that are now bottom of the table.
However, the Dons have had tough tests in their last two away trips, and they suffered expected defeats away at Peterborough and league leaders Plymouth Argyle, coming up short by a two-goal margin in both matches.
After finishing 16th in the 2021-22 season, Lincoln are faring very similarly this term, currently seven points clear of the relegation zone but showing no signs of threatening to push for the higher positions in the league.
Goals have been a slight issue for the Imps, at least away from home, with six of the 11 goals that they have scored on their travels all coming in one game, in a 6-3 victory at Bristol Rovers back in September.
Mark Kennedy's side have been solid enough for the majority of the season, but they are now in the midst of what can be described as a rut, having not managed to win in their last six League One games.
Lincoln have picked up some decent points in that time, however, drawing 1-1 against both Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town, teams that are in the playoffs, despite being reduced to 10 men in both matches.
Last time out, a Tom Hopper brace was not enough for the Imps to progress to the last four of the EFL Trophy, losing on penalties against Accrington Stanley after missing three of their spot-kicks.
Team News
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While he has not been overly impressive this season, Will Grigg is MK Dons' joint-top scorer in League One, and with his side in need of inspiration from somewhere, the Northern Irishman could start ahead of Mohamed Eisa as a lone striker.
Bradley Johnson has been a mainstay at the base of midfield, where he is likely to be partnered by Ethan Robson, with Dawson Devoy taking on the attacking responsibilities, in a more advanced role.
As for Lincoln, Lewis Montsma is now set for a long spell on the sidelines, after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture earlier this month, and so the 24-year-old will not be available at centre-back.
Timothy Eyoma, Paudie O'Connor and Joe Walsh are therefore poised to continue as a back three, with the trio all starting in the most recent League One game, away at Charlton.
Tom Hopper got off the mark for the season with his two goals against Accrington, and he is now set to be a sure-fire starter in attack, being supported by Jack Diamond and Daniel Mandroiu on either flank.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Lawrence, Tucker, O'Hora, Harvie; Johnson, Robson, Holland, Devoy, Barry; Grigg
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Walsh, Eyoma, O'Connor; Poole, Sanders, Sorensen, Boyes; Diamond, Mandroiu, Hopper
We say: MK Dons 2-3 Lincoln City
Lincoln City have the perfect opportunity to put an end to their bad run of form on Saturday, given MK Dons' struggles at home, and we expect them to win by a narrow margin.
Clean sheets have often eluded both teams in recent weeks, so there could well be plenty of goals, but the Imps just have that extra little bit of quality.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
