Preview: MK Dons vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors suffered a 3-2 defeat on penalties against Liverpool in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday night.

Match preview

MK Dons managed to do what their opponents this weekend could not, and that was move into the fourth round of the EFL Cup, by comfortably seeing off fellow League One strugglers Morecambe at Stadium MK.

Goals from Warren O'Hora and Matthew Dennis were enough for the Dons to progress in a second cup competition in four days, after the 6-0 thumping of Taunton Town last weekend.

Substitute Conor Grant bagged a brace alongside fellow strikes from Mo Eisa, Darragh Burns, Will Grigg and Dawson Devoy in a professional display against the non-league outfit from Liam Manning's side, whose defensive judgement has been as impressive as their attacking prowess recently.

Manning's men are unbeaten in their last four, however, they still currently occupy a place in the relegation zone in League One, and are three points from safety.

In fact, the Dons have the worst home record in the division, accumulating just four points from a possible 24.

As for Derby, they will be looking to bounce back from EFL Cup disappointment having been beaten by holders Liverpool on penalties, after a 0-0 draw in normal time at Anfield.

Caoimhin Kelleher set a club record as he saved three spot kicks to spare the holders' blushes against the Rams, and end Derby's four-game unbeaten run.

Paul Warne's side have only won two of their last nine outings, and he will also be bitterly disappointed with the draw against non-league Torquay United in the FA Cup last weekend.

William Osula put the Rams two goals to the good in their first-round tie with Torquay, but Eiran Cashin's sending-off opened the door for the National League outfit to reduce the deficit and force a replay through Asa Hall and Will Goodwin.

The visitors will now turn their attention to climbing into the playoff places in League One, as they currently sit two points behind sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers.

MK Dons League One form:

L

L

L

L

W

D

MK Dons form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

W

W

Derby County League One form:

L

W

L

D

W

D

Derby County form (all competitions):

L

D

W

D

D

L

Team News

Tennai Watson and Mo Eisa both started for the Dons against Morecambe, as Manning made eight changes from last weekend. In fact, it was Watson's first start for the club since recovering from a long-term injury.

Warren O'Hora, Darragh Burns and Henry Lawrence are the only players who kept their place in the XI in midweek, so perhaps further rotation could be implemented here.

As for the visitors, Jason Knight made his return off the bench against Liverpool, but Warne says he will be assessed ahead of this weekend's fixture against the Dons.

Joseph Anang, Curtis Davies, James Chester and Tom Barkhuizen remain sidelined through injury for the Rams, while David McGoldrick came off the bench at Anfield after missing the FA Cup clash with Torquay through illness.

The FA overturned Eiran Cashin's red card against Torquay, clearing him to play at Anfield in midweek, however, the defender will still miss Saturday's showdown at MK Dons after picking up five bookings in League One.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Jules, Lewington, O'Hora; Watson, Devoy, McEachran, Harvie; Barry, Grigg, Burns

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Roberts, Sibley; Mendez-Laing, Hourihane, Bird, Dobbin; Osula, McGoldrick

We say: MK Dons 1-1 Derby County

Neither side are in great form coming into this clash, so we are expecting a closely-fought contest at Stadium MK.

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