The true definition of a grudge match, bitterest rivals MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon collide in a mouthwatering FA Cup first-round tie at Stadium mk on Sunday lunchtime.
Only two points are separating the adversaries in the middle of the League Two pack, although the hosts have enjoyed better fortunes in the fourth tier of late.
Match preview
© Imago
While the original Wimbledon 'Crazy Gang' memorably conquered the FA Cup in 1988, MK Dons' history in England's most prestigious competition is far more modest, with a fifth-round appearance in the 2012-13 campaign being their best result so far.
On Sunday, the Dons endeavour to avoid back-to-back first-round exits in the competition - having fallen at the opening hurdle to Reading in the 2023-24 campaign - but the Stadium mk faithful ought to travel in expectation rather than hope.
Indeed, Scott Lindsey's men have strung together a brilliant sequence of results over the autumn period, prevailing in each of their last three League Two ties against Morecambe, Accrington Stanley and most recently Grimsby Town; only leaders Port Vale have also taken nine points from the last nine on offer.
In fact, the League Two table-toppers are the only team to have beaten the Dons in their last nine matches in all competitions, even though Lindsey's men have often been found wanting at the back and have not kept a single clean sheet in that run.
MK Dons have to go all the way back to September 7 - a 1-0 triumph over Walsall - for their most recent shut-out in any competition, but their recent knack for victories has them sitting just outside the League Two playoff positions in eighth spot.
© Imago
Sharing something in common with their hosts, Wimbledon's best showing in the FA Cup is also a solitary fifth-round appearance - going out at that stage to Millwall in 2018-19 - but first-round exits have been a rarity for the visitors in recent times.
Not since the 2019-20 campaign have Wimbledon been sent packing at this embryonic stage, recording two second-round appearances and two third-round appearances since then, falling at the latter point to Premier League new boys Ipswich Town in 2023-24.
The current form of Johnnie Jackson's side does not suggest that progression to a further round could be on the cards this year, though, as Wimbledon have been defeated in three of their last four games in all tournaments, including each of their last two.
Jackson's troops could come away from their 3-2 defeat to League Two leaders Port Vale with their heads held aloft, but they were blown away by Brighton & Hove Albion's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in midweek, losing 3-0 to the young Seagulls.
Four of the visitors' last six contests on the road have also seen them draw a blank, and not since 2014 have Wimbledon left MK Dons' turf as the victors, but they have beaten their fierce rivals in each of their last two League Two showdowns, including a 3-0 success in the middle of September.
Team News
© Imago
MK Dons' success over Grimsby Town was not quite the perfect afternoon, as midfielder Liam Kelly was taken off in the second half with a suspected hamstring problem, plunging his participation for this fixture into serious doubt.
However, Lindsey received a double boost before last weekend's triumph with the return to fitness of Kane Thompson-Sommers and Sam Sherring, the former of whom is an option to replace Kelly in the middle of the park.
Such is the longevity of 40-year-old mainstay Dean Lewington that the left-back made his FA Cup debut for the original Wimbledon all the way back in 2003; it remains to be seen if the 912-appearance man plays his 52nd game in the tournament this weekend.
Wimbledon can empathise with MK Dons on the fresh injuries front, as left-back James Furlong could not complete the full 90 in the midweek loss to Brighton, although it is not clear how severe the Hull City loanee's concern is.
However, Jackson could instead call upon James Tilley to fill the void on the left - as he did in the five-goal thriller with Port Vale - while Matty Stevens should replace Josh Kelly at centre-forward.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Maguire, Offord, Lewington; Nemane, Williams, Lemonheigh-Evans, Tomlinson; Gilbey, Leigh; Hogan
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Johnson, O'Toole, Harbottle; Neufville, Ball, Hippolyte, Smith, Tilley; Bugiel, Stevens
We say: MK Dons 2-1 AFC Wimbledon
Expect Sunday's intriguing affair to partially live up to the pre-match billing, as goals are flowing into both nets whenever MK Dons take to the field, while Wimbledon gave a terrific account of themselves at Port Vale.
However, the hosts are more in-form, more well-rested and are seldom outfought at home to Wimbledon, so we expect Lindsey's men to exact revenge for September's loss and progress to round two.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
