Form, odds and stats ahead of MK Dons' trip to Lincoln City

It's fair to say neither MK Dons nor Lincoln City have taken to League One waters quite the way they had planned this season.
Baily Cargill battles for a header against Lincoln earlier this season.Baily Cargill battles for a header against Lincoln earlier this season.
Baily Cargill battles for a header against Lincoln earlier this season.

Two of League One's newly promoted teams were fancied to be comfortable in adapting to life back in the third tier this season, but both have found life much harder than expected.

While Dons are 19th, Lincoln are just five points up the road in 15th. Both have had managerial changes since the reverse fixture in August, and both have flirted with the wrong end of the table. The Imps though have always allowed themselves a cushion to the bottom three, while Dons are only now building their gap to Tranmere Rovers in the final relegation spot - ironically, the other team promoted from League Two last season.

Dons currently hold the bragging rights, having won the last encounter back in August in a 2-1 win at Stadium MK, but Lincoln took all six points against them en route to the League Two crown last season, including a stoppage time winner at Sincil Bank. Those two wins are the only triumphs they have claimed in nine previous meetings, with Dons winning five and two draws.

Russell Martin's side head into the game still without a win on the road since September, but have picked up seven points from a possible nine neafding to Sincil Bank. Lincoln meanwhile have lost four in a row heading into the game. Therefore the bookies have Dons at 13/5 to win the game, Lincoln at 11/10 and 12/5 the draw.

John Busby takes charge of the game on Tuesday, which will be his 30th of the season. He has booked 111 players, sending off five. Dons fans have seen him twice this season - in the 0-0 draw with Coventry at Stadium MK, and most recently the 3-0 defeat to Newport County. Stephen Wade and Hristo Karaivanov will run the lines, and Christopher Ward will be the Fourth Official.