MK Dons vs Crawley predictions: Dons could bow out with entertaining win

Daniel Childs
Spotlight
Mike Williamson's MK Dons have plenty of work to do to turn this semi-final around
Mike Williamson's MK Dons have plenty of work to do to turn this semi-final around

- MK Dons have conceded 14 goals in their last four matches
- Crawley have scored in each of their last eight fixtures
- Recommended bet:
MK Dons and both teams to score

MK Dons approached the League Two play-offs as the favourites to win promotion but they were beaten 3-0 at Crawley in Tuesday’s semi-final first leg and face an uphill struggle to plot a path to Wembley.

Mike Williamson’s side were in the automatic promotion hunt until a 4-1 loss at home to Mansfield in their 44th game.

Since then they have struggled to regain their composure and were outplayed at the Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday.

Crawley were never expected to push for promotion but they have played attractive, attacking football for much of the season and have got themselves to the brink of a Wembley final.

Team news

MK Dons are likely to be without Matt Dennis, who has missed the last eight games through injury.

Changes could be considered after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat with forwards Ellis Harrison and Emre Tezgel among the players pushing for starts.

No fresh injuries are reported by Crawley boss Scott Lindsey, who could name an unchanged side.

Crawley right wingback Kellan Gordon is closing in on full fitness and came on as a substitute in the opening leg. He will challenge Harry Forster for a start in Buckinghamshire.

The stats

Scott Lindsey's Crawley did the heavy lifting in this tie in the first leg and have been in fine scoring form of late
Scott Lindsey's Crawley did the heavy lifting in this tie in the first leg and have been in fine scoring form of late

MK Dons have conceded 14 goals in their last four games.

Seven of MK Dons’s last nine matches have generated at least four goals.

The Dons have scored the first goal in each of their last four home fixtures.

Crawley have scored in each of their last eight matches.

Both teams have scored in five of Crawley’s last six away games.

Prediction

Crawley have netted in each of their last eight matches and a continuation of their scoring streak may ensure safe passage to the League Two playoff final.

A strong response looks likely from MK Dons, who are unlikely to be as passive as they were in Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat in West Sussex.

Mike Williamson’s side can register a home victory but they may struggle to keep a clean sheet and their porous defence could cost them a place at Wembley.

The Dons will be looking to get on the front foot and bag the first goal, as they have done in each of their last four home games.

However, they have shipped 14 goals in their last four matches and may struggle to contain the Red Devils, who can take a step further in their promotion quest.

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Tags

Milton Keynes DonsCrawleyLeague Two