Matchweek 29 of League Two will see struggling playoff hopefuls MK Dons welcome Harrogate Town to Stadium MK in midweek.
The Dons have picked up 35 points from their 26 games this season, leaving them 12th in the standings, nine points behind seventh-placed Bradford City, while the visitors are 19th with 29 points from 28 matches, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
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MK Dons' dreams of returning to the third tier have taken a hit following a recent slump that has seen them register just one win in their last nine outings.
Having halted a four-match winless streak – three consecutive defeats and a draw – with a 2-1 victory over Chesterfield, Scott Lindsey's side have since endured another similar run, with their latest result being a goalless stalemate against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
After finishing fourth last season, MK's hopes of an immediate return to League One were crushed by a humiliating 8-1 aggregate loss to Crawley Town in the playoff semi-finals, and this campaign has only added to their disappointment as recent struggles have dragged them further from that ambition.
The Dons' decline has largely been down to defensive frailties, with 18 goals conceded in their last nine encounters, keeping just one clean sheet in that time.
Despite their struggles, MK will aim to secure their first-ever league double over Tuesday's visitors, having claimed a resounding 5-1 triumph in the reverse fixture at Wetherby Road.
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While Harrogate have lost two of their three meetings with the hosts, they can take encouragement from their only victory in this matchup – a 1-0 win at Stadium MK, which remains the only previous encounter at this ground.
However, Simon Weaver's side are not in the best of form, winning just two of their last 11 games in the fourth tier, including a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in their most recent outing.
That result was particularly painful given their spirited second-half display, with Weaver stating in his press conference that his side, who conceded an 86th-minute strike from Harry Clifton, deserved "a point at least."
The Sulphurites are now winless in back-to-back encounters, having recorded a goalless draw at Colchester United before that defeat.
Harrogate's struggles on the road are evident this season, with their 13 points from a possible 42 placing them 17th in the away standings as they face a Dons side boasting the ninth-best home record with 22 points from 15 matches.
Team News
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Veteran defender Nathan Thompson, who joined MK from Stevenage last week, delivered a solid display on his debut against Wimbledon, helping the Dons keep their first clean sheet in nine games.
As a result, the 34-year-old could retain his place, continuing his partnership with Luke Offord and Nico Lawrence in the backline.
MK's top scorer in League Two, Alex Gilbey, who has nine goals, could feature again in an advanced midfield role alongside Daniel Crowley, behind striker Scott Hogan.
As for the visitors, left-winger James Daly and defensive midfielder Levi Sutton are both one booking away from suspension, having received four yellow cards each.
Ellis Taylor, who made his first start after two substitute appearances following a mid-November injury, could retain his place on the right side of midfield for this match.
Long-term absentees George Thomson (achilles) and Liam Gibson, who suffered a hamstring injury in the reverse fixture, remain sidelined, while Matty Daly is also doubtful, having missed the last three games.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
McGill; Offord, Thompson, Lawrence; Tomlinson, White, Williams, Nemane; Crawley, Gilbey; Hogan
Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Bilongo, Moon, O'Connor, Sims; Taylor, Morris, Souton, J. Daly; Muldoon, March
We say: MK Dons 2-0 Harrogate Town
Both sides enter this encounter in poor form, with MK's defense a recent weakness, while Harrogate, having failed to score in four of their last six games, do not appear capable of exploiting it.
However, the Dons could benefit from home support, having earned more points at their ground this season, making a win for them the most likely outcome in a match expected to feature few goals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
