The final run-in for the League Two season starts tomorrow and brings together two sides that realistically have automatic promotion in their sites. Third-placed Milton Keynes Dons make the trip to Merseyside to take on fifth-placed Tranmere Rovers, who sit just four points further behind. A win for the away side could see them go second once again, while success for the hosts along with a loss for out-of-form Bury would see them enter the automatic spots.
Milton Keynes Dons Visit Tranmere Rovers as League Two’s Final Run-In Begins
Recent Form
Both sides come into the game having won three, drawn one and lost one of their previous five games. Last time out, the Dons suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to runaway leaders Lincoln City, while Rovers were held to a goalless draw away at Newport County.
Form slightly favours the visiting Dons though, as Tranmere haven’t won in their last two (they lost away at Oldham Athletic prior to the Newport draw). Paul Tisdale’s side had beaten Forest Green Rovers and Yeovil Town as well as drawing with Stevenage before their defeat against Lincoln.
The similarities between the two sides’ form is also shown in the home and away league tables for League Two. Tranmere sit third in the home table having lost only three times at Prenton Park all season and picking up 40 of their 68 points. The Dons, meanwhile, are fourth in the away league table, winning eight, drawing five and losing seven of their 20 games on the road.
Making that six draws from 21 games will no doubt be a positive result, especially if Mansfield and Bury fail to pick up maximum points from their games away at Northampton and at home to Colchester United respectively.
Past Meetings
These two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Stadium MK earlier in the season, with Chuks Aneke netting an equaliser for the Dons just before half-time after Jonny Smith‘s fortuitous opener.
That game was one of only two draws between the two clubs in history. The Dons hold a dominant ten wins and only five losses from a total of 17 games between the two.
Two of those losses came in the 2013/14 season as Rovers won 3-2 at home and 1-0 away in their unsuccessful fight against League One relegation. Other wins for Rovers include 4-2 on Merseyside in 2010 and a dramatic 2-1 win at the Dons’ old ground, The National Hockey Stadium, in 2006, that effectively relegated Milton Keynes from League One.
Prediction
Inconsistent away form, however high they may be in the away league table, has been a problem this season for the Dons, and only the most optimistic of fans will be expecting a win from this one.
That’s not to say it’s impossible, as they took maximum points from the New Lawn against Forest Green just two weeks ago, but to repeat something of the same magnitude will be a tough ask.
A point will be a good result providing they don’t slip up in their four games afterwards.
Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 MK Dons
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