A look ahead to MK Dons’ home game against Colchester United at Stadium MK, kicking off at 8pm

MK Dons will be looking to make it four wins in a row this evening when they host Colchester United at Stadium MK.

Paul Warne’s side were given a watching brief on Tuesday night when the rest of their promotion rivals played, and they saw a late winner for league leaders Bromley, while chasers Cambridge United were held to a 0-0 draw at Walsall

It means a win for Dons would see them move back within two points of the pace setting Ravens, while the gap would open to four points to the U’s, and seven points back to the play-off spots.

Colchester meanwhile have aspirations on a play-off spot heading into the final stretch. A win would close Danny Cowley’s side to within three points of the top seven on Wednesday, right back in the thick of it from their 13th place at the start of play.

Twice the sides have met already this season, both came at the JobServe Community Stadium and it has ended with both sides claiming a win. Dons were victorious in the FA Cup first round game back in November, before the U’s claimed the spoils on New Year’s Day courtesy of a stoppage time Jack Payne penalty. That game was Dons’ last defeat in the league.

While Dons have since gone on a 13 game undefeated streak, Colchester are in patchy form. Their last ten has accrued just 11 points, with three wins, two draws and five defeats for Cowley’s side. Their form on the road is sixes across the board, with six wins, defeats and draws from their 18 games. Dons though are unbeaten at home in League Two since September.

Tonight is the 30th meeting between the sides in all competitions, with Dons coming out on top in 15, with the U’s having 10 wins, and there have been four draws. Games at Stadium MK have not been goal-fests in recent years either, with 1-0 wins the order in the last three. Last season’s fixture saw Payne again net from the spot late on in what would be Scott Lindsey’s final game in charge at MK1.

Referee Sam Mulhall will take charge of the game, his 26th of the season. In his previous 25 this term, Mulhall has shown 102 yellows, five reds and awarded eight penalties.

His only Dons game came in August and saw Dons beaten 1-0 by Walsall at Stadium MK, but this is the first sighting of the referee for Colchester.

Assistants Declan O’Shea and Thomas Harty will run the likes with fourth official Robert Evans.

Bookmakers bet365.com have Dons at 3/4 to win the game, with Colchester at 7/2 and 5/2 the draw.