Previewing MK Dons’ League One game with Burton Albion at Stadium MK, kicking off at 3pm

MK Dons will be aiming for their ninth win in 11 games on Saturday when they play host to Burton Albion at Stadium MK.

Four wins out of five in League One has seen Paul Warne’s side climb from 23rd to 12th in the division, kick-starting their season after a string of draws left them staring at the door back to League Two.

Gary Bowyer’s side arrive at MK1 just a point behind Dons, but with just one league since since September, and five points from a possible 15 in League One, seeing them drop to 15th.

There are plenty of familiar faces in the squads. Midfielder Will Collar is currently on loan at Burton from Milton Keynes, and has been in decent form for the Brewers this season, making 16 appearances and scoring twice in his last three games. He will be ineligible for the game however.

Striker Matt Dennis made the move from Notts County to the Pirelli Stadium in the summer, having spent two-and-a-half years at Stadium MK, while Kyran Lofthouse played 23 times for Mike Williamson’s Dons in 2024 on loan from Barnsley now calls Staffordshire his home.

Goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray lined up for Burton in the most infamous of the nine games between the sides back in 2023, then his clean-sheet ensured Dons were relegated from League One before penning a move to Milton Keynes a couple of months later.

That 0-0 draw at the Pirelli Stadium was the last time the sides met, and one of only nine times they have crossed paths. Dons have won four of them, with Burton winning twice while there have been three draws. Burton’s only win at Stadium MK came in 2019 courtesy of a 3-0 thumping.

Referee Edward Duckworth will take charge of the game, is 16th outing of the season. Showing 58 yellows and one red this term, he has awarded two penalties in his matches so far. It will be his fourth time officiating Dons, overseeing a win, a draw and a defeat, with the last sighting coming in the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield last season. Burton meanwhile have lost on three of the five occasions he has taken charge, winning once and drawing the other.

Assistants Grant Taylor and Rob Smith will run the lines with Fourth Official Darren Wilding.