Dons To Make In-Roads On City Against Rochdale

Bristol City`s two defeats in as many games has seen MK Dons with the best chance of all their title rivals to take the top spot, Karl Robinson`s men with three games in hand over the Aston Gate outfit. The first of these trio of ties is against ninth-placed Rochdale at home on Tuesday (25th November) with the away side also motivated by the fact that they can enter the play-off zone with a win.

Keith Hill`s newly-promoted Rochdale have had something of a mixed bag of results over their last five games, racking up consecutive wins and a pair of back-to-back defeats. The club haven`t been helped by needing a replay to dispose of League Two`s Northampton in the FA Cup though will hope to get back to winning ways in the league at the Stadium MK.

Saturday saw the North West club fall to a 3-1 defeat at home to Doncaster despite taking the lead in the eighth minute. Matt Done hit the back of the net before being sent off following Kyle Bennett`s first half equaliser.

Two goals in the dying minutes meant that Hill`s men recorded their second league defeat in as many matches after losing out to Robert Page`s rejuvenated Port Vale.

Michael Brown scored the only goal for the Midland`s club to see them record their third straight league win before coming unstuck against the Dons at the weekend.

The Port Vale result was preceded by three victories in which Dale managed to hit three past the opposition keeper.

The first was in a 3-2 win away at high-flying Swindon Town, the team having to come from 1-0 behind to seal all three points. Matty Lund levelled and Peter Vincenti gave the visitors the lead before Bastien Hery`s late strike cancelled out Michael Smith`s leveller.

Struggling Yeovil were also put to the sword despite their home advantage. The Glovers had no reply to an early Jack O`Connell opener and an Ian Henderson goal in either half. Both O`Connell and Henderson got their names on the scoresheet in the team`s North West derby with Preston.

O`Connell broke the deadlock before experienced striker Henderson netted the second of the game. Doncaster scorer Done grabbed a third in the second half to round off a comprehensive victory against their promotion competition.

William Hill are offering 10/1 on the mid-table side slotting three past the Milton Keynes outfit.

Unlike Tuesday`s opponents, the Dons have been enjoying a positive vein of form recently having recorded three wins on the trot in all competitions. It took all of three minutes for Carl Baker to open the scoring against Vale on Saturday with the score remaining 1-0 for the remainder of the tie.

This followed the side`s 4-3 away victory against Page`s Valiants in the FA Cup. Baker was once again on the scoresheet levelling up for Robinson`s men, as Benik Afobe grabbed a brace and Danny Green put the game out of sight. It was the second time the Dons had to bounce back from losing positions after going behind against Swindon. Jordan Obika put Mark Cooper`s Robins` noses in front before second half goals from Dele Alli and Antony Kay.

Having netted 13 times already this season, Arsenal loanee Afobe is 8/5 (paddy Power) to grab another at any time against Rochdale.

Indeed it is his team who are the 20/23 favourites for the clash (Betvictor, boylesports) with the visitors available at 10/3 (bet365). Thirteen to five (Numerous) says that the match will end a tie.

Dale`s job will be made even harder after the dismissal of top scorer Done in the Doncaster game. The nine-time scorer will serve a three match ban for his rash tackle, though Ian Henderson returns after serving time out for his misgivings.

In terms of injuries, Peter Vincenti is out for another month after sustaining a knee injury against Swindon. The Dons` only doubt is George Baldock (thigh). Saturday saw welcome returns to the side for Danny Green and Lee Hodson after spells on the sidelines.

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23/11/2014     © Frixo 2024