Milton Keynes Dons vs Mansfield Town. Sky Bet League Two.
Stadium:mkAttendance20,718.
Friday 3 May 2019 15:21, UK
George Williams and Joe Walsh could return to the MK Dons starting line-up for their winner-takes-all clash with automatic promotion rivals Mansfield.
Williams has now made three substitute appearances in his return from the hamstring injury he suffered in January while Walsh was an unused substitute in the defeat at Colchester, having been sidelined since early April with a severe cut to his arm. Fellow defenders Mathieu Baudry and Baily Cargill could also be involved in the squad for the final game of the season following lengthy injury absences since the turn of the year.
The Dons head into the game behind third-placed Mansfield on goal difference so Paul Tisdale's team must win if they are to be promoted automatically, otherwise it will be the play-offs for the Milton Keynes club.
A draw will be enough to get the Stags over the line and boss David Flitcroft expects to have a full squad available, except for his long-term injury absentees. That means midfielder Otis Khan is available again after a hip problem and defender Ben Turner has recovered from his calf complaint.
Jorge Grant, Alex MacDonald and Danny Rose are all pushing for recalls should Flitcroft decide to change things in attack at Stadium MK. Craig Davies, Nicky Ajose, Jordan Graham, Bobby Olejnik and Hayden White all remain out for Mansfield, who have not played in the third tier since 2003.
MK Dons haven't faced Mansfield at Stadium MK in any competition since New Year's Day 2008, a 1-0 victory for MK Dons.
Mansfield are winless in four league games against MK Dons (W0 D2 L2) since beating them 2-1 in August 2006.
MK Dons have managed just one victory in their last five League Two games (D1 L3), needing all three points against Mansfield to secure automatic promotion.
Mansfield have drawn their final league match of the season in each of the last three seasons.
If Mansfield avoid defeat against MK Dons, they will be promoted to League One for the first time since 2002-03.
Now THIS is exciting! You only get a fixture like this once in a blue moon. It is MK Dons vs Mansfield and it is quite literally a winner-takes-all clash.
Both are level on 76 points and whomever prevails will secure the third and final automatic promotion spot in League Two. Mansfield have the advantage of a much better goal difference as well, so a draw would do them nicely.That does provide the Stags with a bit of a conundrum. Do they sit back and play for a draw? Or do they try and play it like a normal league game? In many ways MK Dons have the easier task because they know they just have to go for the win.
It will be a nervy affair, but both sides are so good going forward I can't imagine either will keep a clean sheet. It will be close, and I'm not sure if they will do it with a win or with a draw, but I fancy Mansfield to be the team to get over the line.
David Prutton predicts: Mansfield to win promotion (1/2 with Sky Bet)
