Previewing MK Dons’ game against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, kicking off at 7.45pm

Winning back-to-back games will be on the agenda for MK Dons when they take on Blackpool this evening.

Neither side have started the season in the manner in which they would have predicted heading into the campaign. Dons have to wait until Saturday to see their first win of the season, beating Luton 2-1 to lift them out of the relegation zone after a bizarre run of six draws in eight games on their return to the third tier.

Blackpool meanwhile have gone eight games without a win in all competitions, picking up one point from a possible 18 in League One, seeing them drop to 20th at the weekend after a 2-0 defeat to Leyton Orient.

The sides have been kept apart for the last five years, but have only ever been semi-regular opponents down the decades. Since 2004, the teams have crossed paths 11 times, nine of them being in League One. The Tangerines have won six of the 11 games, with Dons claiming wins in four, with one draw.

Dons’ record at Bloomfield Road though has been disappointing, losing on four of the five occasions with their only win coming in 2019. On that day, goals from Russell Martin, Jordan Houghton and David Kasumu saw Paul Tisdale’s side run out comfortable 3-0 winners. Their last trip, back in 2020, saw Sullay Kaikai, prior to his move to Stadium MK a few years later, net the only goal of the game in a 1-0 home win.

Still early days in the season though it is, Blackpool have a win, two draws and a defeat on home soil while Dons have three draws and a loss away from Stadium MK this term.

Referee Jamie Robinson will take charge of the game, his 11th game of the season. The official has shown 42 yellow cards this term, three red and awarded two penalties. The Northern Irishman is in his first season in the EFL and has never taken charge of either club.

Assistants Kevin Mulraine and Anthony Moore will run the lines with Fourth Official Sebastian Stockbridge.