Barrowvs.MK Dons

The Bluebirds come into the clash on the back of an impressive win last time out, while the Dons have struggled in 2025.

Match preview

Andy Whing's Barrow are currently 18th in the fourth tier, and sit 11 points above Morecambe in the relegation zone having won two and lost two of their games during his short tenure so far.

The manager was appointed on January 20 after former boss Stephen Clemence was sacked following the Bluebirds' 2-0 loss against Swindon Town that extended their winless streak at the time to five games.

In Whing's first ever match in charge of an EFL club, Tuesday's hosts took all three points in a 3-0 win over Grimsby Town at the SO Legal Stadium, thanks to goals from Robbie Gotts, Tyler Smith and Theo Vassell.

Similarly, Barrow also won 3-0 last time out at home against Gillingham on Saturday, though they did lose the two games between those wins.

Impressively, Whing has managed to keep two clean sheets in his four games, the same number that the club had kept between late September and his appointment last month, and this newfound defensive resilience could stifle their visitors in midweek.

Meanwhile, Scott Lindsey's MK Dons have lost back-to-back games at the start of February and now sit in 14th place, 10 points behind Salford City in the playoff spots.

More generally, the Dons have been in poor form in 2025 as a whole, and having been just three points from the playoffs on New Year's Day, have fallen down the table by losing five, drawing one and winning just one of their seven matches since.

Most recently, Lindsey's side were leapfrogged by Bromley when they were beaten 1-0 on their own turf, and the boss will be extremely disappointed that his team were unable to respond to Ben Thompson's 60th-minute strike, especially given that the Ravens had not won any of their previous six league games.

On the road, Tuesday's visitors have taken maximum points from just one of their five most recent League Two fixtures, and have in fact avoided defeat just five times away from the Stadium MK this term.

If MK Dons are to get back on track and move towards the promotion-chasing pack at the upper end of the table, then they will need to reverse their current form, though it may be difficult this week with Barrow growing under their new manager.

Barrow League Two form:

L

L

W

L

L

W

MK Dons League Two form:

L

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

Barrow midfielder Kian Spence netted a brace against Gillingham, but he will be missing on Tuesday after picking up an injury that forced him to be withdrawn late on.

In his absence, David Worrall could start alongside Ben Whitfield, and the duo will be looking to support striker Aaron Pressley up top.

Elsewhere, Robbie Gotts, who registered an assist last time out, should start in the middle of the park with Elliot Newby and Dean Campbell either side of him.

As for MK Dons, Danilo Orsi-Dadomo made his first appearance for the club on Saturday after signing on loan from Burton Albion, and though he may not be ready to start, he could provide a threat from the bench should Callum Hendry or Scott Hogan struggle.

Aston Villa loanee Travis Patterson also made his debut against Bromley, and the 19-year-old could start ahead of Joseph Tomlinson in midweek.

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Farman; Foley, Canavan, Williams, Jackson; Newby, Gotts, Campbell; Worrall, Whitfield; Pressley

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Trueman; Lemonheigh-Evans, Sanders, Lawrence, Patterson; Kelly, Williams, Gilbey; Crowley; Hendry, Hogan

We say: Barrow 1-1 MK Dons

Neither side are in particularly strong form at the moment, though Barrow have shown a renewed capacity to win games under Whing.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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