MK Dons vs Crawley Town: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Stadium MK hosts MK Dons and Crawley Town in the second leg of the League Two Play-off this Thursday. The first leg was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, making this the first clash in this Semi Final.

• MK Dons to win @ 2.50 on SBK
• Over 2.5 goals @ 4/9 on CopyBet
• Both teams to score @ 4/11 on BetUK

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Date: 09/05/2024

Kick off time: 20:00

Location: Stadium MK

The first leg of this Semi Final was called off due to a waterlogged pitch making this game the time for either side to make a big statement and get one foot in the Final.

MK Dons finished the League Two season in fourth after 46 games. MK Dons picked up 23 wins, nine draws and 14 losses, leaving them on 78 points, eight points from automatic promotion.

The Dons have been amongst the goals this season, scoring 83 goals in 46 games, an average of 1.80 goals a game. However, MK Dons have struggled more defensively this season, conceding 68 goals and keeping just nine clean sheets.

Crawley, on the other hand, finished in seventh in League Two. In 46 games, Crawley picked up 21 wins, seven draws and 18 losses which left them on 70 points, just one point into the Play-offs and eight points behind MK Dons.

The Red Devils were also impressive in front of goal this season, scoring 73 goals in 46 games which gives them an average of 1.59 goals a game. Crawley have also been consistent at the other end of the pitch, conceding 65 goals and keeping 13 clean sheets.

MK Dons and Crawley have met just ten times in their histories, with the first meeting coming as recently as 2012. MK Dons have the slightly better record in the fixture with five wins in comparison to Crawley’s three wins, the other two games ending in a draw.

The last five games in this fixture have seen three wins for MK Dons, one win for Crawley and one draw. Just one of the last five games saw both sides on the scoresheet.

MK Dons Team News

Mike Williamson only has the injury to Matthew Dennis to manage this week, with everyone else fit for the Play-offs.

Crawley Town Team News

Scott Lindsey only has one injury to manage this week, with Ben Gladwin a doubt for Crawley.

In their last five games in all competitions, MK Dons have two wins, two draws and one loss.

Max Dean opened the scoring for MK Dons just before the 20 minute mark but Sam Austin equalised for Notts County in the first half added time. Alassana Jatta put Notts County ahead just minutes into the second half but a brace from Ellis Harrison put MK Dons ahead with under ten minutes to go. However in extra time, Aaron Nemane popped up with a goal to force a 3 - 3 draw.

MK Dons bounced back with a win over Forest Green Rovers. Dean gave MK Dons the lead just before halftime and Alex Gilbey doubled the lead early in the second half. Forest Green had zero shots on target as MK Dons secured the 2 - 0 win.

Dean was on the scoresheet again for MK Dons early on in the 13th minute but that was the only action for MK Dons. Elliott Hewitt equalised for Mansfield Town before halftime but a brace from Davis Keillor-Davis and a goal from James Gale in the second half to give Mansfield the 4 - 1 win.

The next time out for MK Dons saw them bounce back against Harrogate Town. Abraham Odoh opened the scoring for Harrogate Town but Gilbey and Dean scored in quick succession to put MK Dons ahead. George Thomson made it level at halftime and then scored again to give Harrogate the lead early in the second half. However, goals from Stephen Wearne, Emre Tezgel and Harrison gave MK Dons the 5 - 3 win.

The last time out for MK Dons was against Sutton United. Jack Payne and Gilbey both scored to give MK Dons the 2 - 0 lead at halftime. Stephen Duke-McKenna got Sutton on the scoresheet but Tezgel restored the two goal cushion. Charlie Lakin scored to make it 3 - 2 but Harrison once again gave MK Dons the two goal lead. Another goal from Duke-McKenna and a goal from Harry Smith rescued a 4 - 4 draw for Sutton.

In their last five games in all competitions, Crawley have one win, two draws and two losses.

Ryan Barnett and Paul Mullin both scored to give Wrexham the 2 - 0 lead at halftime and in the second half another goal from Mullin and a goal from Andy Cannon gave Wrexham the 4 - 0 lead with 15 minutes to go. Klaidi Lolos did score late on for Crawley but The Red Devils slumped to a 4 - 1 loss.

It was another loss for Crawley, this time against Colchester. Tom Hopper gave Colchester the early lead but Lolos made it level for Crawley at halftime. A goal from Cameron McGeehan and another goal from Hopper gave Colchester the 3 - 1 lead when Samson Tovide was sent off for Colchester. Harry Forster did score late on but ten-man Colchester held on for the 3 - 2 win.

Crawley were behind at halftime against Barrow as Emile Acquah found the back of the net for Barrow. However, a second half penalty from Danilo Orsi grabbed a 1 - 1 draw for Crawley.

Liam Kelly gave Crawley the 1 - 0 lead at halftime but Lakin made it level just minutes into the second half. Olly Sanderson put Sutton ahead with ten minutes to go but another late goal from Lolos forced the 2 - 2 draw.

The most recent outing for Crawley was against Grimsby Town. Orsi and Lolos both scored in the first half in the 2 - 0 win for Crawley.

MK Dons look to grab a win on home turf, however, Crawley will put up a fight with both teams on the scoresheet - Dean likely to find the back of the net for MK Dons. MK Dons 2 - 1 Crawley

MK Dons vs Crawley Town will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event in the U.K. and can be followed online on BBC Sport or Sky Sports.

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