MK Dons' bid for League One survival will come down to the final day when they travel to the Pirelli Stadium to take on Burton Albion on Sunday.

The visitors are currently outside the relegation places due to goal difference, while the hosts have already secured their place in the third tier for another season.

Match preview

Sitting 11 points clear of the drop zone with just one match remaining, Burton Albion will be playing League One football next term, aided by winning three of their last six matches.

One of those victories came in midweek at home to relegation-threatened Cambridge United, as the Brewers ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Mark Helm strike in the 28th minute.

Although Dino Maamria's side have the second-worst defensive record in the division, their impressive home form makes them dangerous opponents for MK Dons this weekend.

The Brewers have picked up 33 points from 22 games at the Pirelli Stadium this season, which would leave them 12th in the standings based on home form alone.

Meanwhile, a second-half collapse saw MK Dons squander a huge chance to boost their League One survival hopes in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Barnsley.

The hosts had a three-goal cushion with 17 minutes to play, but James Norwood's strike and a late Max Watters brace brought the relegation-threatened Dons to their knees.

Nevertheless, Mark Jackson will take encouragement from the fact that his side's fate is in their own hands, and a victory at the Pirelli Stadium would keep them in the third tier for another season, given the superior goal difference the Dons have over Accrington Stanley, Cambridge United and Morecambe.

Jackson's men will go into the final day sat in 20th place having amassed 44 points from 45 games, level on points with Morecambe, one point ahead of Cambridge and three points clear of Accrington Stanley.

Team News

Burton Albion right-back Tom Hamer looks set to remain on the sidelines after missing the past 10 matches through injury.

Sam Winnall returned to action from the bench for the Brewers in midweek, having only made a solitary substitute appearance since picking up an injury back in February.

As for the visitors, Daniel Harvie remains on the sidelines with an injury, while Tennai Watson is set to retain his place at left wing-back.

Between them, Jackson is bound to deploy an unchanged back three consisting of Warren O'Hora, Jack Tucker and Dean Lewington, while Mohamed Eisa will retain his place up front after bagging a brace against Barnsley.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Brayford, Hughes, Moon; Oshilaja, Shaughnessy, Powell, Ashworth; Latty-Fairweather, Helm; Walker

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Tucker, O'Hora, Lewington; Kaikai, Maghoma, McEachran, Grant, Watson; Leko, Eisa

We say: Burton Albion 1-0 MK Dons

MK Dons will fight hard in their bid to stay out of the bottom four on Sunday, but Burton have a respectable home record, so we think they will end their season on a high with a victory here.


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