Preview: MK Dons vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 January 2023, 15:16

Relegation-threatened MK Dons will look to extend their one-point gap to the League One drop zone when they face Exeter City on Saturday.

The visitorS, meanwhile, are 10 points better off than their opponent, and as a result, they currently occupy a comfortable midtable position.

Match preview

After playing out a goalless draw with Lincoln City and recording a 2-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers, MK Dons appeared to be on course to make it three games without defeat in their midweek home meeting with Shrewsbury Town.

The contest looked set to end goalless until Tom Bayliss scored an 89th-minute winner to condemn MK Dons to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

MK Dons have only picked up nine points from their 14 home league games this season, leaving them with the worst home record in the division.

No side has scored fewer home goals than the 10 MK Dons have registered in League One this term, highlighting a need for improvement in the final third if they are to consistently pick up points at Stadium MK.

As the only team in the third tier who are yet to score a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a League One match this season, MK Dons will be looking to get off to a quick start on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Exeter will be looking to bounce back after their four-match unbeaten run was brought to an end last Saturday.

Gary Caldwell's side had won two straight away games prior to their meeting with Portsmouth, but two second half goals from Pompey left Exeter empty-handed.

The Grecians were hoping to be in action in midweek, but their home meeting with Barnsley was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Exeter will now turn their attention to Saturday's away fixture, where they will have the chance to record a league double over MK Dons after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture.

However, the Grecians are still yet to win a competitive away game against MK Dons, drawing one and losing five of their previous six visits to Stadium MK.

MK Dons League One form:

Exeter City League One form:

Team News

MK Dons defender Warren O'Hora is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a broken foot.

The hosts could also be without the services of Ethan Robson and Nathan Holland, after the pair missed the defeat to Shrewsbury through injury.

Recent arrivals Max Dean and Sully Kakai could feature among the substitutes, as they await their MK Dons debuts.

As for the visitors, they could be without the services of Josh Coley and Kyle Taylor due to injury issues.

Goalkeeper Jokull Andresson has returned to Exeter on an emergency loan deal, and he is expected to feature on Saturday after Jamal Blackman picked up a knock in the defeat to Portsmouth.

Joe White is set to retain his place in the side after being given his first start for the club last weekend.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Jules, Harvie; McEachran, Johnson, Devoy; Leko, Eisa, Grigg

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Andresson; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Collins, Kite, Key; White; Brown, Nombe

We say: MK Dons 1-1 Exeter City

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