MK Dons will be aiming to record a third consecutive victory when they welcome Doncaster Rovers to Stadium MK on Saturday.

The hosts are sitting in 14th spot in the League One standings, while the visitors are three points worse off in 18th position. 

Match preview

After winning promotion from League Two last term, MK Dons had to wait until October 17 to claim their first league victory of the 2026-27 season.

The 2-1 victory over Luton Town has sparked an upturn in fortunes that has seen Paul Warne's side take nine points from a possible 12.

After losing to Blackpool a few days after their maiden victory, MK Dons got returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 success against Stevenage before they hammered Bromley 4-1 in their midweek home outing. 

Archie Collins netted either side of a Mitch Pinnock equaliser before Alex Gilbey and Charlie Goode grabbed a goal apiece to seal back-to-back home wins, moving their side five points clear of the bottom four.

MK Dons should fancy their chances of adding at least a point to their tally on Saturday, considering they have lost just one of their eight competitive home games this term (W4, D3).

However, if they are to take all the spoils, they will need to beat Doncaster for the first time since recording a 2-1 victory in August 2023. 

In contrast to their hosts, Doncaster have struggled to pick up points in recent weeks, having lost three of their previous four matches.

Rovers fell to back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Stockport County before they claimed a much-needed 2-0 win in their home meeting with Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

But Doncaster failed to build upon that result in a midweek clash against Luton Town, which saw Bayley McCann net a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat at Kenilworth Road. 

After suffering a second straight away loss, Grant McCann's side are left down in 18th place with just two points separating them from the bottom four. 

In fact, Rovers have lost four of their six away league games this term, which will not inspire confidence ahead of their first competitive meeting with MK Dons since February 2025.

Doncaster can at least take confidence from the fact they have won two and drawn one of their last three head-to-head meetings, although both of those victories took place at Keepmoat Stadium. 

MK Dons League One form:

MK Dons form (all competitions):

Doncaster Rovers League One form:

Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

MK Dons are expected to be without the services of Craig MacGillivray, Ryan Barnett, Kane Wilson and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy. 

Defender Curtis Nelson is also set to miss out after being absent from the last four matches due to an ankle problem.

Midfielder Ben Wiles is pushing for a starting spot after featuring as a half-time substitute in the midweek win over Bromley.

As for the visitors, McCann is unable to call upon Matty Pearson, Francis Okoronkwo and James Collins. 

Tom Nixon and James Husband are close to returning to the squad, but it remains to be seen whether they will be ready for Saturday’s contest.

Midfielder George Broadbent and striker Brandon Hanlan are options if McCann decides to alter his lineup for the away trip.

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Ekpiteta, Goode, Sanders; Wintle; Silvera, Wiles, Gilbey, Campbell; Nombe, Collins

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Simkin; Sterry, Grehan, Byrne, Senior; Bailey, Broadbent; Ayinde, Hutchinson, Adelakun; Hanlan

We say: MK Dons 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

MK Dons will be full of confidence after winning three of their previous four matches, and we believe they will continue to build momentum by getting the better of a Doncaster side that has lost their last two away games. 

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