MK Dons v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, referee, key stats and form guides

Tuesday night’s draw at Crewe, which was preceded by a 2-1 home defeat by Burton, means the Blues’ play-off hopes are once again hanging by a thread.

Victory will be important against their mid-table hosts.

But just like Crewe, who lost 6-0 to Oxford prior to their midweek meeting with Danny Cowley’s side, MK Dons go into today’s game on the back of a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Lincoln.

The hosts have little to play for, with the Citizens safely positioned away from the relegation dogfight but not considered play-off contenders.

Yet, there’ll be pride at stake as they look to finish their season on a high.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off (12.30pm).

MK Dons team news

Dons boss Russell Martin will again be without leading scorer Cameron Jerome for the visit of Pompey.

The 15-goal striker limped out of the 2-0 loss to Crewe on Easter Monday and has missed the Dons’ subsequent two matches.

Martin hopes to have the much-travelled Jerome back before the end of the season, but today’s clash will come too soon.

Louis Thompson also came off against Crewe and hasn’t played since, but Martin said prior to the Dons’ 4-0 defeat at Lincoln on Tuesday that he expects the injury-plagued on-loan Norwich midfielder to return soon.

Irish defender Warren O’Hora is likely to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Predicted line-up

Andrew Fisher, Dean Lewington, Harry Darling, Zak Jules, Ethan Laird, Matt O’Riley, Andrew Surman, Josh McEachran, Matthew Sorinola, Scott Fraser, Will Grigg. Substitutes: Lee Nicholls, David Kasumu, Charlie Brown, Lasse Sorensen, Joe Mason, Daniel Harvie, Jordan HoughtonPompey team news

Pompey boss Danny Cowley admitted his side are carrying ‘bumps and bruises’ going into Saturday’s game against MK Dons.

But there's nothing serious enough to add to the Blues’ list of absentees.

Indeed, if anything, the Fratton Park head coach could welcome back Lee Brown from the hamstring injury which saw him sit out Tuesday’s goalless draw at Crewe.

He remains an option for the trip and hasn’t been ruled out of the game, with his injury not as bad as previous hamstring setbacks suffered.

John Marquis is also fit.

He featured at Crewe, despite having injections for an ankle complaint while serving a three-match ban, and is once again likely to lead the line for Pompey.

Michael Jacobs (knee), Ellis Harrison (knee), Jordy Hiwula (ankle) and Alex Bass (fractured leg) remain sidelined.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Charlie Daniels, Marcus Harness, Ben Close, Tom Naylor, Ryan Williams, John Marquis, Ronan Curtis. Subs: Lewis Ward, James Bolton, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Andy Cannon George Byers, Harvey White, Alfie Stanley.

Match-day odds (bet365)

MK Dons: 19/10

1-0 8/1, 2-0 14/1, 2-1 10/1, 3-0 28/1, 3-1 22/1, 3-2 33/1

Pompey: 29/20

1-0 7/1, 2-0 11/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 22/1, 3-1 20/1, 3-2 28/1

Draw: 9/4

0-0 17/2, 1-1 5/1, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

Referee

Martin Coy

MK Dons stats

League position: 14th

Top scorer: Cameron Jerome (15)

Top assists: Scott Fraser (8)

Most appearances: Scott Fraser and Dean Lewington (both 45)

Pompey stats

League position: 6th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (47)

Form guide (all competitions)

MK Dons: P51 W20 D12 L19

Past five games

L 4-0 Lincoln (A) – League One

D 0-0 Ipswich (A) – League One

L 2-0 Crewe (H) – League One

W 1-0 Doncaster Rovers (H) – League One

W 2-1 Burton (A) – League One

Pompey: P51 W25 D8 L18

Past five games

D 0-0 Crewe (A) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (H) – League One

W 1-0 Wigan (A) – League One

W 2-1 Rochdale (H) – League One

W 2-1 Shrewsbury (A) – League One

Other fixtures

Today (all 12.30pm kick-offs unless stated)

AFC Wimbledon v Swindon (5.30pm), Blackpool v Sunderland, Bristol Rovers v Lincoln, Burton v Plymouth, Charlton v Ipswich, Hull v Fleetwood, Oxford v Gillingham (5.30pm), Rochdale v Accrington, Shrewsbury v Doncaster, Wigan v Crewe.