Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

MK Dons will enter the fixture in third place and a victory could potentially take the away side into an automatic promotion spot.

Match preview

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Doncaster have had an atrocious start to the campaign, losing seven of the nine league games they have played, which has left them rooted to the bottom of the table with only four points to their name and six points adrift of safety.

There was some positivity when they collected their first league win of the season on September 18 against Morecambe, but since that fixture they have lost twice.

First, they suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Plymouth Argyle, then their most recent outing resulted in a demoralising 6-0 loss away to Ipswich Town.

The problem for Doncaster boss Richie Wellens is that his side have been poor in both boxes, as they have only scored four goals in League One - no team has scored fewer in the third tier - while they have conceded 17 times at the other end.

A crumb of comfort for Wellens is that all of the four points they have collected this term have come from their three League One home games and they will need their home support if they are to get anything against an in-form MK Dons side.

In contrast to their hosts, MK Dons have enjoyed a promising start to their season and they will enter Saturday's fixture in third position.

They have only suffered one defeat in the league this term and the away side will head into the contest in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten run in League One.

MK Dons' last fixture was eventful as they drew 3-3 against Fleetwood Town with Scott Twine's hat-trick not enough to clinch Liam Manning's team all three points.

Part of the success of Manning's side has been how easily they have managed to find the net, as no other team in League One has scored more than the 20 goals MK Dons have managed to net this term.

Although they have struggled to win many away games, MK Dons have drawn three of their four league away fixtures, and as a result, they are yet to lose on their travels in League One, which will give them confidence as they head to the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.

Doncaster Rovers League One form:

Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):

MK Dons League One form:

MK Dons form (all competitions):

Team News

Richie Wellens switched to three at the back in the second half against Ipswich, but with Doncaster conceding four goals in the second period he may revert to a back four for the weekend.

Wellens will need to find a forward line that can start scoring goals consistently, so he could bring Rodrigo Vilca in for Jordy Hiwula.

MK Dons saw Mo Eisa return to the squad against Fleetwood after missing the last five games through injury and the striker could come into the starting lineup at the weekend after coming on as a late sub on Tuesday.

Peter Kioso came back into the starting lineup against Fleetwood and the 23-year-old will start again against Doncaster.

Manning gave David Kasumu a runout late on against Fleetwood after the midfielder returned to the squad following an injury and he is likely to be on the bench once again on Saturday.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Dahlberg; Knoyle, Williams, Anderson, Rowe; Close, Smith, Gardner; Dodoo, Cukur, Vilca

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Fisher; O'Hora, Darling, Jules; Kioso, O'Riley, Robson, Harvie, Twine; Parrott, Eisa

We say: Doncaster Rovers 1-3 MK Dons

Doncaster would have been hoping for an easier test as they seek to recover from the 6-0 defeat to Ipswich and we think that MK Dons will win this contest comfortably, as they bid to extend their unbeaten run in the league to nine games.