MK Dons and Port Vale put their recent unbeaten runs on the line when they square off in League Two on Saturday afternoon.
While the home side have not lost in four outings and sit in 14th position in the standings, the visitors are the form team in the division and occupy sixth spot.
Match preview
© Imago
When Mike Williamson made the move to Carlisle United last month, MK Dons had to move fast to acquire a replacement, managing to attract Scott Lindsey from his job with League One Crawley Town.
Lindsey can be satisfied with his start to life in Milton Keynes, collecting five points from three league games and securing a penalty-shootout win over Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
MK Dons are yet to keep a clean sheet under his watch, a run that has been extended to seven matches in total, but they are having few issues with netting at the other end.
A 5-1 victory at Harrogate Town came either side of draws with Bromley and Tranmere Rovers, while MK Dons have now lost just two of their most recent eight games in the fourth tier.
Sitting four points adrift of the top seven, a platform is being built to kick on during the next phase of the campaign, yet their next opponents will provide them with one of their stiffest tests.
With little momentum after relegation in 2023-24, Darren Moore initially struggled to get Port Vale going back in League Two with just one win coming from their opening four matches.
Since the start of September, though, a total of 14 points have been accumulated from six matches to put them in contention with the leading teams in the division.
As well as a 4-1 triumph at Newport County, victories have been posted against Chesterfield, Swindon Town and Notts County, two clean sheets being recorded in the process.
Vale are now the standout team in the division, also possessing the third-best away record with 10 points being collected from five such fixtures.
Team News
© Imago
After making 11 changes for the EFL Trophy game with Arsenal Under-21s, Lindsey is likely to revert back to a similar side from the draw with Tranmere.
Ellis Harrison netted twice versus the young Gunners, but the forward will miss this contest as he continues to serve a three-match ban in League Two.
Sonny Finch is pushing for his first start in the fourth tier, but Tommy Leigh seems likely to retain his spot.
Having had a week between fixtures, Vale boss Moore could plausibly select the same side that saw out a 1-0 win at Notts County.
Nevertheless, Ben Heneghan, Rico Richards and Jayden Stockley were all introduced on the hour mark in that fixture and are in contention.
Midfielder George Byers is again expected to miss out through injury.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
McGill; Tucker, Offord, Maguire; Nemane, Lemonheigh-Evans, Kelly, Tomlinson; White, Gilbey; Leigh
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; John, Debrah, Hall; Cover, Garrity, Croasdale, Shorrock; Tolaj, Curtis; Paton
We say: MK Dons 2-2 Port Vale
Both teams will be confident of victory in this contest, particularly Vale who appear to be growing in confidence under Moore. However, we feel that an entertaining draw will play out, a result that would not necessarily suit either team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
