Preview: Accrington Stanley vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are 20th in the table, just two points clear of the visitors, who occupy 21st place.

Match preview

Having picked up just 35 points in 35 League One games, Accrington are likely to be involved in the relegation battle right up until the climax of the season.

The Reds' main issue during this campaign has been a lack of goals, netting on just 30 occasions so far, the fourth-lowest amount of any side in the third tier.

John Coleman's side have particularly struggled in recent weeks, winning just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions, although they did manage to pick up vital home victories against Forest Green Rovers and Shrewsbury Town.

In their last match against Saturday's opponents, Accrington drew 1-1 at Stadium MK, continuing a pretty poor recent record, having drawn two and lost two of the last four meetings between the two sides.

On Tuesday night, the Reds lost 3-1 at home against Portsmouth, in a game they really could have taken more from, given the quality of their performance, but Lukas Jensen's 10th-minute red card did them no favours.

MK Dons have also been in very poor form of late, recording just one win in their last seven League One matches, while they have also been on the receiving end of heavy defeats away at Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers.

The Dons have struggled for large parts of the season, but they have managed to look impressive at times on their travels, picking up the vast majority of their points away from home.

Form at Stadium MK has been much more concerning for Mark Jackson's side, acquiring just 13 points in 18 games, the joint-lowest tally of any side in the division, scoring just 12 goals in the process.

Last time out, however, MK Dons managed to win at home for the first time since Boxing Day, picking up a 1-0 victory against Cambridge United courtesy of a first-half goal from Mo Eisa.

The aim for the Dons will now be to put in a similar performance on their travels, and they head into the game knowing that a win will almost certainly see them move out of the bottom four.

Accrington Stanley League One form:

W

D

W

L

D

L

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

D

L

MK Dons League One form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

Accrington will have to make do without some key players on Saturday afternoon, with Jensen ruled out due to the red card sustained against Portsmouth last time out, the second he has picked up in as many matches.

Mo Sangare limped off in the first half against Pompey, with Baba Fernandes replacing him, and the Portuguese defender is set to keep his place in the team, playing alongside Douglas Tharme and Harvey Rodgers.

Given the Reds' struggles in front of goal, Coleman will be very pleased that Sean McConville and Tommy Leigh, who have scored 10 goals between them, are available for selection, having both missed out through suspension in recent weeks.

Eisa has been MK Dons' main goal threat throughout the season, and he is set to keep his place on the left of the front three after scoring the winner against Cambridge last weekend.

Striker Nathan Holland has not been as prolific, netting on just one occasion in 20 appearances this season, and it would not be a surprise to see Will Grigg return to the starting lineup, having featured as a substitute in the last match.

Captain Dean Lewington returned to the first team after a four-month injury layoff against the U's last Saturday, and he will almost certainly keep his place in the team, given that Anthony Stewart is expected to be on the treatment table for a little while longer.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Rodgers, Tharme, Fernandes; Clark, Martin, Conneely, McConville, Leigh; Whalley, Pressley

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Lewington; Kaikai, Devoy, Maghoma, Harvie; Grant, Grigg, Eisa

We say: Accrington Stanley 0-0 MK Dons

MK Dons and Accrington Stanley are very evenly-matched, and so it is very difficult to pick a winner in Saturday's game.

As such, we expect a very cagey match, akin to the encounter earlier this season, with the most likely result being a draw.

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