MK Dons will have an almost-instant chance to rectify their loss to Stevenage over the weekend as they host Morecambe at Stadium MK on Tuesday night. Two late goals, both from defensive mistakes, saw Dino Maamria’s side come from behind to hand the Dons just their second league loss of the season on Saturday but there were some positives in the Dons’ performance that they will be hoping to expand on when they host the 19th-placed Shrimps.
MK Dons Looking to Bounce Back Against Morecambe
Bouncebackability
Paul Tisdale’s side had gone seven games unbeaten before their first loss of the season back in September against Lincoln. The late goal left them in the bottom half of the table with just 13 points from their opening eight games. However, since that defeat, they went on an exceptional ten-game unbeaten streak that briefly saw them top the table after Lincoln’s trip to Yeovil was postponed.
They will have to harness the spirit that brought them that run of form once again from Tuesday. They play another struggling side in Morecambe in the game following a loss (they played Yeovil after the Lincoln game) but this time they have the so-called home advantage.
Morecambe are unbeaten in their last three league games so will provide a stern test, but may still have their FA Cup exit to non-league side Halifax Town in the back of their minds, perhaps damaging their confidence slightly.
Key Men
MK Dons
His goal at the weekend extended his scoring record to five consecutive games, proving that Kieran Agard really is a man in form. He has already surpassed his lowly tally from last season’s League One campaign with ease and has overtaken Chuks Aneke as the top goalscorer for just league goals (they are joint in ten for goals in all competitions).
Agard will no doubt be confident that he could notch another one or two against a team that has shipped 30 goals this season and his teammates should be doing their best to give the in-form man the chance to score.
Morecambe
The Shrimps will clearly have to rely on their defence a lot in this game. The Dons are getting stronger in attack by the match and the Morecambe defence is one of the leakiest in the league.
However, their attack will also be an important factor because if they sit back and try to absorb all of the Dons’ pressure, they will no-doubt crack.
Therefore, joint-top scorers Rhys Oates and AJ Leitch-Smith, who both have five goals, will be hoping their teammates can supply them with the assists to try and beat the home defence.
Prediction
The Dons shouldn’t have any trouble with this one seeing as their unbeaten home record remains intact and they are hosting a struggling side. There’s no reason Morecambe couldn’t breach their backline, especially after conceding three goals at the weekend, but the amount of firepower Tisdale’s men have up front should help them over the line.
Morecambe will make it as difficult as possible, but the Dons will come through this one with the points.
Prediction: MK Dons 2-1 Morecambe
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