MK Dons have made a winning start to their 2019/20 campaign, winning late on against Shrewsbury Town last week and beating rivals AFC Wimbledon on penalties in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Rhys Healey, who got the opening league goal against the Shrews, played no part in South London in the week, leaving the goals to come from Conor McGrandles and youngster David Kasumu.
In what was just his eighth appearance for the side, Kasumu put the visitors ahead against AFC Wimbledon with a sensational curling strike. He received high praise from his teammates and manager Paul Tisdale after the game and, as such, he should remain in the boss’ plans for the match against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
David Kasumu Should Stay in MK Dons’ Plans
Making a Name For Himself
The performance was certainly not without fault. The young midfielder let his man, Scott Wagstaff, slip away from him to score the opener for AFC Wimbledon and he was also beaten far too easily by Rod McDonald when setting up the 94th-minute equaliser that took the game to penalties.
While they will be big learning curves for the 19-year-old, what people should remember his the fact that, when trusted to play in such a high-profile fixture, he came up with a simply brilliant goal that would, more than likely, have had his side crashing out had he not scored.
That’s a ? of a finish from @davidKasumu17 for @MKDonsFC
Not bad for your first senior goal ? #CarabaoCuponQuest | #CarabaoCup | #COYD | @Citizen_Toby | @MKDonsChat pic.twitter.com/qjeidLIPEP
— Quest (@QuestTV) August 14, 2019
The league obviously holds more importance, and with another rivalry match against Wycombe the next to tick off, it’s unlikely Dons fans will be seeing Kasumu in the starting 11 this week. A place on the bench, however, is thoroughly deserved and he has certainly given Paul Tisdale something to think about for the remainder of the season.
Unbeaten Wycombe
Wycombe were another side to see their match go to penalties on Tuesday after a 1-1 draw with geographical rivals Reading. They went out on spot-kicks, but to hold a Championship side at home as well as having a win and a draw from your opening two league games is certainly considered a good start.
Paul Smyth, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, looks a real threat with his electrifying pace, and there will also be a reunion for the Dons with David Wheeler, whose vital goals helped them secure promotion from League Two last season.
There’s more than enough quality in the Wycombe side to cause some problems for MK Dons, regardless of whether they have David Kasumu or more experienced players in the line-up.
Head to Head
There hasn’t been a fixture between these two since 2012 when they played out a 1-1 draw at Adams Park in a League One game.
Then Dons have only lost once to Wycombe in their eight previous meetings when they were beating 3-2 at Stadium MK.
Prediction
It’s been a tough week for both sides, having both had their cup matches go to penalties and with tough league fixtures in the previous weekend. Changes are likely to be made by both managers and that could disrupt any flow the teams are usually able to create.
That said, this is as close as it gets to a derby game in terms of being in the same county for either side, with the pair being situated at opposite ends of Buckinghamshire. That should account for a good atmosphere and plenty of goals on the pitch.
Prediction – Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 MK Dons
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