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

Despite conceding almost as many goals as they have scored, these sides - who are second and first in the standings respectively - are leading the way at the fourth-tier summit.

Match preview

With 12 points having been collected from their opening six matches, there is an argument that MK Dons are living up to their tag as one of the favourites for promotion.

However, head coach Graham Alexander will not be satisfied with how his team have fared, their only clean sheet coming against Tranmere Rovers.

Eleven goals have been shipped in the other five fixtures, including three last time out as MK Dons went down by a 3-1 scoreline at Crewe Alexandra.

MK Dons still occupy second position in the table despite having played four of their six fixtures away from home, while they have prevailed in their two matches on familiar territory.

On those occasions, just three goals have been netted and one conceded - in sharp contrast to their away record - and Alexander will hope for more of the same.

From Notts County's perspective, they would not have expected to be leading the way at this stage when they went down 5-1 at Sutton United on the opening day of the season.

Like their hosts, shutouts have been in short supply, the only one coming in a goalless draw at Morecambe, but they have responded with three wins in a row.

After posting a 3-1 triumph away at Doncaster Rovers, home wins have been registered against Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley, two goals from Macaulay Langstaff proving decisive in the latter.

On the back of a slow start to the campaign, last season's top goalscorer now has two doubles in three outings, suggesting that he could prove to be Luke Williams's star man yet again.

MK Dons League Two form:

W

W

L

W

W

L

MK Dons form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

L

Notts County League Two form:

L

W

D

W

W

W

Notts County form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

W

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Alexander revealed at a press conference that key forward duo Mohamed Eisa and Jonathan Leko have not trained this week due to injury.

With Ashley Hunter also needing to be withdrawn last time out, new signing Ellis Harrison and youngster Max Dean may feature in attack.

MJ Williams is also expected to remain on the sidelines having missed out in recent weeks.

Barring any fitness issues, Williams could look to name the same Notts County XI that started versus Accrington.

New arrival Lewis Macari is in line to start among the replacements after signing on loan from Stoke City.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

MacGillivray; O'Hora, Tucker, Smith; Norman, Gilbey, Robson, Devoy, Harvie; Dean, Harrison

Notts County possible starting lineup:

Stone; Rawlinson, Brindley, Cameron; Nemane, Bostock, Palmer, Jones; Crowley, Langstaff, McGoldrick

We say: MK Dons 2-2 Notts County

As the only team in the division to have won their last three league matches, the momentum is very much with the visitors ahead of this contest. However, their respective records suggest that this could be a back-and-forth goalfest, one which may end in a share of the spoils.

Previews by email