Ipswich Town will be looking to claim their first three points of the new League One campaign when they host MK Dons on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides could not be separated last season, as a 1-1 draw in October was followed by a goalless stalemate at Portman Road in April.

Match preview

Ipswich are still searching for their first win of the 2021-22 campaign as they were beaten 2-1 by newly-promoted Cheltenham Town on Tuesday, despite leading the match after an hour.

Callum Wright's 62nd-minute header cancelled out Matt Penney's first-half opener, before the comeback was completed in the 81st minute when Ben Tozer's dangerous long throw-in was tapped in by Will Boyle at the near post.

Paul Cook, who has recruited 16 new players so far this summer, is yet to discover his best starting lineup with at least three changes made in each of his opening four matches this campaign. In addition, young defender Luke Woolfenden has had three different centre-back partners in the first three league games.

Ipswich, one of the favourites to win the League One title this season, now come up against another promotion contender in the form of MK Dons, who they have never lost against in six previous meetings.

The Tractor Boys are also unbeaten in their last 11 league matches at home, so Saturday's game could be a good fixture for the hosts to finally open their account to the new season.

Ipswich last suffered four consecutive defeats in March 2020, while Cook has not endured a run of four straight losses as a manager since losing five in succession when he was in charge at Wigan Athletic in August 2019.

Liam Manning claimed his first victory as MK Dons head coach as his new side came from behind to beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 on Tuesday.

Jayden Stockley gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute, but the hosts responded just three minutes later through Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott, who has scored in successive home games.

The Dons then took the lead in the 64th minute when the ball fell nicely into the path of Mohamed Eisa who tapped in from close range, securing all three points for Manning's men.

MK Dons have had to endure a tricky fixture schedule at the beginning of the new campaign and on Saturday they face another challenging encounter against Ipswich, who they have failed to beat in six attempts.

They have, however, drawn two of their three encounters at Portman Road and have already claimed a point at Bolton Wanderers this term, so Manning's side can take some confidence into this weekend's game.

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