OPPONENTS FORM:
This evening’s opponents currently sit top of League Two with victories in their opening two games. The Dons produced a mighty performance on opening day to surprise league favourites Wrexham on the opening day at the Racecourse Ground. Graham Alexander’s side rode out as 3-5 winners on the day with a star performance from striker Jonathan Leko, who netted two goals.
In their second fixture, MK Dons defeated Tranmere Rovers by one goal to nil at Stadium MK. Leko’s strike partner Mo Eisa scored the game's only goal in the 7th minute, which proved to be enough to secure three points against Ian Dawes’ side.
THE GAFFER:
Graham Alexander was appointed Head Coach of MK Dons on 27 May 2023.
Alexander, a two-time promotion-winning manager, arrived at Stadium MK having most recently been at the helm at Motherwell, whom he led to Europa Conference League qualification in 2021/22. The 51-year-old had taken charge of 439 games in his managerial career prior to his arrival at MK Dons, including 370 in English football across spells with Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United, Salford City. He reached the Play-Offs with those three EFL clubs, winning promotion with Fleetwood and Salford.
Alexander is also a former Scottish international who is one of only two outfield players in English football history to have made 1,000 professional appearances. He spent all his playing career south of the border, representing Scunthorpe United, Luton Town, Burnley and Preston North End.
SCOTT LINDSEY’S THOUGHTS:
“Tonight will be another tough game against a stiff opposition. MK Dons are top of the league after two great performances in their opening two games against good opposition. They have a very good manager, who I know very well. We are very good friends as we played together in the same youth team, so we do go back a while. He actually wore my boots in his league debut, and we have kept in touch over the years.
“I am hoping that we will continue our good start as we look to get back to winning ways. We need to play well, as we have done in large parts of the opening two matches, and make sure that we take our chances in front of goal. We all know that the Broadfield Stadium can be a fortress, and we are hoping that the fans can help push us on to victory later today.
HEAD TO HEAD:
The head-to-head record does not bode well for Crawley. In our previous eight matches with this evening’s opponents, MK Dons have been victorious in 50% of those matches. Crawley’s last victory against the Dons came in April 2014, where goals from Andy Drury and Mike Jones secured the Red Devils a 0-2 win at Stadium MK.
During our last meeting in 2019, the Dons defeated the Reds by one goal to nil, courtesy of a goal from Kieran Agard.
THE OFFICIALS:
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Assistants: Stephen Finch and Mark Derrien
Fourth Official: Shaun Farrer
HOW THEY BET*:
Crawley - 15/8
The Draw - 12/5
MK Dons - 13/10
*ODDS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF WRITING ON SKY BET. PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
