It could well be the toughest test yet of Bolton’s top six credentials as they travel to MK Dons for tomorrow’s fixture against one the division’s other in-form sides.
We could go above Ipswich with a win, and if things really went our way, could cut the gap on sixth place to just two points.
IAN EVATT | Manager ahead of MK Dons away fixture – YouTube
Team news
Ricardo Santos will be back after missing the Lincoln game due to the birth of his second child, while Declan John will be available despite having to come off at half-time on Tuesday. Otherwise, the absentees will remain the same, with Kieran Lee expected to miss the next month or so with his heel injury.
Possible XI: Trafford; Jones, Almeida Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Williams, Morley, John; Dempsey; Charles, Afolayan
Last time
Our last trip to Stadium MK was nearly two years to this date – 22nd February 2020. It didn’t end well, with Rhys Healey scoring the only goal of the game in the second half to consign us to a 1-0 defeat, leaving us 20 points adrift of relegation in League One. As it turned out, we only went on to play four more matches that season in the end.
The opposition
MK Dons are the closest they’ve been to a Championship return since their sole season there in 2015/16. They’re third, three points behind Wigan, with three wins and two draws from their last five league games. Despite losing Russell Martin to Swansea on the eve of the season, replacement boss Liam Manning has kept a similar style of play and they’ve progressed up the league table. Scott Twine, who scored from a free kick in August’s reverse fixture, is their star man, having scored 13 and assisted nine. Former Premier League striker Connor Wickham signed in January as a free agent, but Matt O’Riley, a strong midfield performer for them, went to Celtic.
Prediction
No doubt this will be a tough game, but MK are a side who have been better on the road if anything. Doncaster managed to win at Stadium MK, and if they can, we can. Having said that, with both sides similar in style and form, it could end up too close to call. 1-1.