With one final chance to preserve their Football League status, Sutton United will travel to Stadium MK to face MK Dons in a vitally-important League Two clash on Saturday afternoon.
The Dons' place in the fourth-tier playoffs is already secured heading into the last weekend, whilst the U's are staring relegation to the National League in the face ahead of this one.
Match preview
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Approaching the final match of the regular campaign in 2023-24, MK Dons are planning for the lottery of the playoffs starting next week, with Saturday's hosts sitting comfortably in fourth position in the League Two standings, eight points behind League One-bound Wrexham with just three points left to fight for.
There was a relaxed air around the Dons' performance at Harrogate Town last weekend, when the visitors to EnviroVent Stadium came out on top of an eight-goal thriller, with Alex Gilbey, Max Dean, Stephen Wearne, Emre Tezgel and Ellis Harrison all getting onto the scoresheet.
After that resounding success in Harrogate, Mike Williamson's troops are back on home soil for the penultimate time this season, looking to make amends for their most-recent result at Stadium MK on April 13, when second-placed Mansfield Town rocked up in Buckinghamshire and cruised to a 4-1 victory.
The Dons would be on course for an automatic return to League One if the fourth tier was decided purely on home form, with Saturday's hosts winning 14 and collecting 46 points from 22 matches in front of their own supporters - only Wrexham (51) and champions Stockport County (50) can better that tally.
Although Dan Kemp leads the club's Golden Boot race this term with 17 League Two strikes, the performances of 15-goal youngster Dean have captured the imagination of manager Williamson, who recently suggested that the 20-year-old has the makings of a Premier League footballer.
Following the 3-1 loss to Stockport on April 6, Sutton United have recorded back-to-back 2-2 draws with Harrogate and Crawley Town, leaving the U's Football League status hanging by a thread heading into the final round of fixtures this weekend, when only one result will do for the visitors.
Steve Morison's side are currently languishing in 23rd position in the league table, three points behind 22nd-placed Colchester United in safety, meaning that only a win at MK Dons - coupled with a loss for Colchester and a suitable swing in goal difference - will be enough to avoid relegation.
Since returning to the Football League after their title-winning National League campaign of 2020-21, the U's missed out on the playoffs by a single point in 2022 before finishing in mid-table during the 2022-23 term, although this season has proven to be significantly harder.
Conceding an eye-watering total of 80 goals in just 45 League Two matches, Morison's troops possess the joint-worst defensive record in the division alongside Accrington Stanley and Swindon Town, two sides who are free to enjoy the final day without any worries of the drop.
Making the step up from non-league football over the summer, Harry Smith is the most-likely source of a magical moment for the U's at Stadium MK, with the former Millwall man finding the net on 10 occasions in the fourth tier this term.
Team News
MK Dons are hoping to have Joe Tomlinson available for the first time in over a month, with the wing-back missing the last couple of matches due to a toe injury.
The hosts will definitely be without the services of striker Matt Dennis, who has not featured since bagging a brace against Salford City in March because of a fitness issue.
Williamson could opt to rotate his XI as he looks to keep his men fresh for the upcoming playoffs, although Lewis Bate and Jack Payne should play a part on Saturday.
After finding the net last time out, former Birmingham City youngster Charlie Lakin should start in the Sutton engine room alongside Harry Beautyman once again.
Craig Eastmond is one of the experienced heads in the U's dressing room and will provide valuable guidance for the younger players during a stressful afternoon at Stadium MK.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Tucker, O'Hora, Lewington; Norman, Bate, Payne, Lofthouse; Tezgel, Gibley; Dean
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Jackson, Kizzi, Sowunmi, Hart; Beautyman, Lakin, Coley, Sanderson, Adom-Malaki; Smith
We say: MK Dons 2-1 Sutton United
Although MK Dons will have one eye on the playoffs, the hosts are likely to use Saturday's match as a warm-up game ahead of the upcoming race for promotion.
Sutton have won just four times on the road this season in 22 attempts, meaning that a safety-clinching victory in Buckinghamshire is unlikely this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
