Total Tranmere - Tranmere Rovers v MK Dons Preview

Tranmere Rovers v MK Dons Preview

By Deadly Submarine January 31 2006
As Tranmere entertain Milton Keynes Dons this weekend in an early kick-off due to England’s friendly with Argentina, Total Tranmere brings you all the statistics and team news to keep you in the know prior to the game. Rovers will be looking to bounce back from last weeks FA Cup disappointment.

TOTAL TRANMERE – Match Preview

TRANMERE ROVERS Vs MILTON KEYNES DONS

Saturday November 12^th 2005 – Kick-Off 2.00pm

Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

Team News

Tranmere Rovers have Jason McAteer as their only injury victim ahead of this game, the player-coach set to be missing for around two more weeks with a knee injury.

On-loan midfielder Steven O'Leary, who was unavailable against Bradford in the FA Cup at the request of Luton, is expected to return to the starting line-up on Saturday, possibly at the expense of Danny Harrison. Fellow midfielder Mark Rankine is available for this game as his suspension for collecting five bookings does not come into effect until Sunday, meaning he misses the trip to Scunthorpe in a weeks time.

MK Dons have Pablo Mills and Dean Lewington back from suspension for this game but Aaron Wilbraham is suspended and Ben Harding has joined Forest Green Rovers on loan. The Dons also have Stephen Quinn available after re-signing the midfielder from Sheffield United for a second moth on loan.

Match Referee – Mr Brian Curson (Leicestershire)

Form Guide

Tranmere Rovers:

Last Six At Home - WDDLWD

Last Six Games - LLWDWL

Milton Keynes Dons:

Last Six Away - DLLDLD

Last Six Games - DDWLDD

Tranmere’s current home record is better than the Dons current away record which suggests Tranmere have a chance to gain some valuable points against Danny Wilson’s side.

However, in their last six games both home and away, MK Dons have only lost once with four draws and a win. Rovers on the other hand have lost three of their last six games both home and away although they have only lost once at home all season.

Rovers go into the game on the back of a disappointing FA Cup first Round defeat at Bradford City in controversial circumstances when a Bradford goal appeared to have not crossed the goal-line.

In the same competition last week, the Dons could only manage a 1-1 draw at League Two side Lincoln City and will have to replay next week.

The Hotshots

Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre – 7 Goals

MK Dons: Izale McLeod – 5 Goals

Past Meetings – Last Season

27^th November 2004 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 2 – 0 MK Dons

Hall 53

Whitmore 84

Attendance: 8,402

Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)

7^th May 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – National Hockey Stadium

MK Dons 2 – 1 Tranmere Rovers

Edds 6 Beresford 65

Edds 84

Attendance: 7,359

Referee: Mr Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire)

Last season’s two encounters in League One, saw the first ever meetings between the sides since MK Dons re-located to Milton Keynes and changed their name from Wimbledon FC.

In the first game at Prenton Park, Rovers had to wait until the second half before finally breaking the deadlock through Paul Hall before Jamaican Theo Whitmore added a second just six minutes from time to earn Rovers a 2-0 win.

The return game at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes, had a little more purpose about it as a defeat for the home side could have seen them relegated to League Two on the final day of the season.

The Dons took an early lead however through Gareth Edds but a second half equaliser from David Beresford looked to have condemned the Dons to relegation. However Edds struck again six minutes from time to earn the Dons a 2-1 win and keep them up at the expense of Torquay United.