Gilling ham will be tarvelling to a face MK Dons at the Stadium MK on the New Year’s day, with the hosts looking to close in on the League One playoffs.
MK Dons have won only two of their last six league matches at home, while Gillingham have failed to win any of their last six games on the road.
Liam Manning’s side have had a few days to rest, recuperate and prepare for their first fixture of 2022, after MK Dons saw their home match against Cheltanham Town postponed due to coronavirus outbreak among the visitors’ squad.
They won their most recent league game on Boxing Day when they came from two goals down against Lincoln City to pick up a 3-2 away victory.
They won through second half goal from Matt O’Riley and a brace from Scott Twine, with the later scoring a dramatic 90th-minute winner to secure all three points.
MK Dons are currently sitting 7th just outside the playoffs, four points behind sixth-placed Wycombe Wanderers, though they have a game in hand.
Having picked up a 4-1 victory away at Gillingham earlier this season, they will be looking to take advantage of their opponents poor run of form with another victory to have a good start of the year.
Gillingham have been out of action since December 11 due to postponement of their fixtures against Crewe Alexandra and Charlton Athletic due to Covid-19.
Steve Evans will be hoping for his team to play and end their poor run of form, which has seen them fail to win any of their last 11 games in all competitions, including defeats in each of their last six matches.
Gillingham have lost their last four matches at Stadium MK, conceding 10 goals in the process, and this may not be different.
Milton Keyney Dons vs Gillingham head to head
The two English outfits have previously met on 17 occasions, and according to the results, they are level in strength. They have taken 8 victories each with one draw, each having scored 29 goals and conceded 29. In their last five encounters, MK Dons have won three and Gillingham two.
Gillingham 1-2 Milton Keynes Dons 29/03/18
Gillingham 3-1 Milton Keynes Dons 21/12/19
Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Gillingham 17/10/20
Gillingham 3-2 Milton Keynes Dons 02/03/21
Gillingham 1-4 Milton Keynes Dons 18/09/21
Milton Keynes Dons latest home form
MK Dons have recently been on a relatively good form at home, as they have lost just one match of their last five. The loss was in their last home match, where they lost 2-1 to Oxford United. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn two and lost one.
Milton Keynes Dons 2-2 Stevenage 06/11/21
Milton Keynes Dons 4-1 Cambridge United 13/11/21
Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 Burton Albion 20/11/21
Milton Keynes Dons 1-1 Plymouth Argyle 08/12/21
Milton Keynes Dons 1-2 Oxford United 11/12/21
Milton Keynes Dons latest away form
The Dons have most recently impressed away form, having not in their last three matches on the road. They have recently defeated Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy through penalty shootouts after a 0-0 draw. They however lost to Stevenage at the extra time in the FA Cup on November 16.
Stevenage (E)2-1 Milton Keynes Dons 16/11/21
Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Milton Keynes Dons 23/11/21
Morecambe 0-4 Milton Keynes Dons 27/11/21
Leyton Orient 0-0(P) Milton Keynes Dons 30/11/21
Lincoln City 2-3 Milton Keynes Dons 26/12/21
Gillingham latest home form
Gillingham have recently been on a poor run of form at home, as they have failed to record any victory in their last five matches. Their last home victory came on October 19 when they defeated Doncaster Rovers 1-0. In their last five, they have drawn two and lost three.
Gillingham 0-2 West Ham United U21 26/10/21
Gillingham 0-0 Accrington Stanley 30/10/21
Gillingham 1-1 Cheltenham Town 06/11/21
Gillingham 0-2 Cheltenham Town 23/11/21
Gillingham 0-1 Portsmouth 27/11/21
Gillingham latest away form
The Gills have recently been on a poor run of form on the road. They have lost in all their four most recent away matches, including a 1-0 loss to Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. In their last five away matches, they have scored 3 goals and conceded 11.
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Gillingham 13/11/21
Cheltenham Town 1-0 Gillingham 16/11/21
Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Gillingham 20/11/21
Rotherham United 5-1 Gillingham 07/12/21
Fleetwood Town 2-1 Gillingham 11/12/21
Milton Keynes Dons news
Max Watters will be the only injury concern for MK Dons, having a knock. Liam Manning could name the same lineup that played Lincoln, with O’Riley and Josh McEachran keeping their places in centre-midfield. Troy Parrott will hope to be part of the first XI ahead of Hiram Boateng or Mohamed Eisa.
Gillingham news
Gillingham’s Kyle Dempsey, Max Ehmer, Dan Adshead and Vadaine Oliver all remain sidelined with injuries.
Right-back should return to the starting lineup after serving his one-match suspension, with first-choice goalkeeper also likely to come back into the first XI, and Aaron Chapman having to drop to the bench as a result.
Prediction and Odds
Both teams will be looking to start the year with a victory, though MK Dons have recently some potential over their opponents.
Gillingham have been on a poor form home and away, and with absenteesm in their squad, we could see them fall short and lose yet again on Saturday.
Odds: 1 2.21 X 2.50 2 2.80
Probable outcomes
Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 Gillingham
Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Gillingham
Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 Gillingham
Milton Keynes Dons 3-1 Gillingham
Milton Keynes Dons 1-1 Gillingham
