Preview: MK Dons vs. Walsall - prediction, team news, lineups

2 weeks ago 19

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between MK Dons and Walsall, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Walsall will be bidding to continue their impressive start to the season when they head to MK Dons in League Two on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors have picked up nine points from four matches this term to sit second in the table, but it has been an underwhelming start from MK Dons, who are down in 19th in the division on three points.

Match preview

MK Dons head coach Mike Williamson on September 2, 2024 © Imago

MK Dons finished fourth in League Two last season, which earned them a spot in the playoffs, but they were incredibly beaten 8-1 on aggregate by Crawley Town in the semi-finals.

Mike Williamson's side will be expecting to push high up the division once again, but it would be fair to say that they have struggled to find their groove in the early stages of the campaign.

The Dons opened their League Two season with back-to-back defeats to Bradford City and Colchester United, before recording a 3-0 victory over Carlisle United on August 24.

MK Dons were unable to build on that result, though, losing 1-0 to Salford City on Monday night, and a total of three points from four matches has left them in 19th position in the table.

Williamson's side will be in EFL Trophy action later this month, but their League Cup challenge was ended by Championship side Watford last month, suffering a 5-0 defeat to the Hornets.

Walsall manager Matt Sadler in January 2024. © Imago

Walsall, meanwhile, have made an excellent start to the season, winning six of their seven games in all competitions, with their only defeat coming at Tranmere Rovers on August 24.

Mat Sadler's side have beaten Exeter City and Huddersfield Town in the League Cup this term, while they overcame Birmingham City on penalties in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

The Saddlers have impressed in League Two, meanwhile, winning three of their four matches to collect nine points, which has left them second in the table, one point behind the leaders Gillingham.

Walsall beat Morecambe and Swindon Town in their opening two league games of the season before losing 1-0 at Tranmere, but they recorded a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town last weekend.

The Saddlers suffered a 5-0 defeat to MK Dons in the corresponding match last season, and they have only beaten Saturday's opponents on one occasion since 2014.

MK Dons League Two form:

MK Dons form (all competitions):

Walsall League Two form:

Walsall form (all competitions):

Team News

Ben Purrington of Exeter City in action with Josh Gordon of Walsall on August 13, 2024 © Imago

MK Dons head coach Williamson is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the 1-0 defeat to Salford last time out, as there were positives to take from the performance.

It is once again expected to be a 3-4-3 formation for the Dons, with Callum Hendry, who is a new arrival at the club, operating as the centre-forward.

Aaron Nemane should retain his spot down the right, while there is again expected to be a start in a wide position for Alex Gilbey, who scored 13 league goals for MK Dons last term.

As for Walsall, head coach Sadler made a number of changes to his side for the EFL Trophy clash with Birmingham, but it is expected to be a more familiar team for this match.

The majority of the players that started against Cheltenham Town last weekend could continue, including Jamille Matt, who has already scored twice in League Two at the start of the new campaign.

However, Josh Gordon was forced off in the early stages of the team's last league game, which could mean that Matt is partnered by Nathan Lowe in the final third of the field.

Oisin McEntee and Liam Gordon also had to be substituted last weekend, and the pair are major doubts for Walsall's fifth League Two game of the new campaign.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
McGill; Tripp, Offord, Maguire; Nemane, Lemonheigh-Evans, Kelly, Tomlinson; Wearne, Hendry, Gilbey

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Simkin; H Williams, Okagbue, Allen; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk, Lakin, Earing; Matt, Lowe

SM words green background

We say: MK Dons 1-1 Walsall

Recent history favours MK Dons in this fixture, but Walsall's excellent start to the campaign cannot be ignored, so this is shaping up to be a very interesting match. We are expecting the points to be shared, though, which would not be the worst result in the world for either side.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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