Previewing MK Dons’ trip to take on Barnet at The Hive on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm

For the first time since 2008, MK Dons and Barnet will lock horns in League action this Saturday.

It was during Dons’ double winning 2007/08 season that the sides last played each other in League Two, with Paul Ince’s winning 2-0 at Underhill en route to the title.

Since then, the sides have played each other in the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy, while there have been a handful of pre-season friendlies too.

Of the eight previous meetings, Dons have won five of them, with two draws and only one Barnet victory.

Paul Warne’s men head into the game at The Hive looking to get back to winning ways in the league, having been beaten when they were last in action against Bromley, seeing them drop to fourth spot in the standings. Returning to London though, they were winners last Saturday against fellow League Two side Colchester, beating the U’s 3-2 in the FA Cup.

The Bees meanwhile were beaten 2-1 by Fleetwood Town to exit the Cup in the first round.

Dean Brennan’s side though are in good form ahead of the tie, losing only twice in their last ten games, and winning five of them. It is a run which sees them 12th in League Two on their return to the EFL after being in the National League since 2018.

While Dons saw their unbeaten away record in League Two end last Saturday, they still have the best form on the road this season with four wins, two draws and a defeat - exactly the same record as Barnet. However, the Bees have the fourth worst home results in the division, picking up only seven points at The Hive all term.

Referee James Durkin will take charge of the game. Son of infamous Premier League official Paul, Durkin has overseen 11 games so far this season, dishing out 36 yellows and two reds while awarding two penalties. He has only overseen one MK Dons game - last season’s 1-0 home defeat to Bromley - while it will be the ninth time he has officiated Barnet. Overall, they have won five, lost three and drawn one under his watch, with last March’s 1-0 win over Woking his last.

Marc Wilson and Daniel Robinson will run the lines with Fourth Official Andy Bennett.

Bookmakers bet365.com have MK Dons at 23/10 to win the game, with Barnet at evens and 27/10 the draw.