Barnsley are eyeing up third place in the League One top six battle with a playoff spot already secured ahead of a trip to Stadium MK where MK Dons are still fighting in the unpredictable relegation battle.
These two sides are in completely contrasting situations right now with MK Dons still staring in the face of a drop into League Two after almost a decade in League One. The Dons have been in and out of the drop zone all season long but they have managed to get themselves out of trouble in recent weeks. On the other hand, with just two games left to play and with this being their last home fixture, the club may need a win in this match.
MK Dons have so far won the most games (11) for those still mathematically fighting relegation in these last few weeks, and the club are only above Morecambe in 21st by two points. Positively, they do have a better goals difference than everyone below them too, with 62 goals let in and 40 scored of their own.
Simply put, if they can match or better the results of Cambridge United, Accrington Stanley and Morecambe in the last two games, they will be safe.
On the other hand, Mark Jackson's men are on a six-game winless run since, ironically, beating Accrington and Morecambe before the international break. This has seen them register draws with Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Derby County and Cheltenham before losses to Charlton Athletic and Fleetwood Town.
As for Barnsley, they were mauled at home in midweek after Ipswich Town netted twice inside two minutes towards the end of the first half before a late finish made it 3-0. This ended a four-game unbeaten run for the Tykes and move the club to nine points adrift of Ipswich Town and consequently ended their automatic promotion chances, as the Tractor Boys now sit comfortably in second.
Barnsley have still secured 85 points and are above Peterborough just outside of the playoffs by 12 points. In reality, their playoffs spot has been secured for some time now and the aims have been about keeping players fit and fighting for the top three.