Match Preview: Milton Keynes Dons Vs Bolton Wanderers

Milton Keynes Dons Vs Bolton Wanderers

Stadium: MK

Tuesday 18th August

KO: 19:45

After their rather expected thumping on Saturday on Teeside against promotion favourites Middlesbrough, Bolton head down to Milton Keynes as they target their first win of the season against Karl Robinson's Dons. On fixture release day, many Wanderers' fans will have marked this game as an early ‘must-win' and no doubt given Bolton's woeful away record; Dons' fans will believe the same.

Team News

Milton Keynes Dons

A Highly regarded talent at Stadium: MK is Wanderers loanee Rob Hall, due to loan restrictions, Hall will miss out as The Dons face the young winger's parent club. Dons' reported interest in Norwich City defender Harry Toffolo is likely to materialise but not before this evening's game.

Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal attacker Wellington Silva is on the verge of completing his loan deal and is likely to feature this evening. Tim Ream's impending move to QPR or Fulham means Dean Moxey should continue to retain his place. Goal Machine Gary Madine faces a late fitness test and Zach Clough should start. Darren Pratley's recovery continues after picking up ankle ligament damage against Derby County. Former Real Madrid defender Derik Osede is not far off recovery. The Wanderers long-term absentees are David Wheater and Max Clayton.

Form

Milton Keynes Dons:      DWL

Bolton Wanderers:          DLL

League Stats

Milton Keynes

Top Scorer:                         Carl Baker / Dean Bowditch         1

Most bookings:                                 Numerous                                          1

Bolton Wanderers

Top Scorer:                         N/A

Most bookings:                 Jay Spearing 2

Match odds

Milton Keynes Dons:      5/6

Draw:                                    13/5

Bolton Wanderers:          16/5

One to Watch

Dean Bowditch

The midfielder averages a goal every four games roughly and Robinson's faith in Bowditch was shown with a one-year contract extension on promotion to The SkyBet Championship

What's Been Said?

Karl Robinson:

"I'll be playing against arguably one of my best friends," he said. "He's someone I've known a long time, and someone I've spent a lot of time with away from football too.

"I've been looking forward to this one for a long time."

Karl Robinson discussing facing Neil Lennon to The Milton Keynes Citizen

Neil Lennon:

"In the meantime when we have no midweek games we can work on playing a three or five at the back and the tactical side of doing that.

"It was clear after 20 minutes it didn't work. We changed it and still conceded anyway.''

Neil Lennon discussing the Middlesbrough game to The Bolton News

Prediction

Many have singled out MK Dons as a side that will struggle this season and I echo those thoughts. If Bolton are to have any success this season, this is a game we must win and I believe we will, I am going for:

Milton Keynes Dons 0-2 Bolton Wanderers