A win for MK Dons would mean they would go ahead of Rovers and if Rotherham get a point away at Colchester, Rovers go into the drop zone. A win for Rovers and they are safe due to Rotherham facing MK Dons at Millmoor on the final day of the season.
Previous Meetings:
Earlier in the season,. on 12th November at Prenton Park, MK Don won their first away game of the season, coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1. Izale McLeod scored both goals for The Dons after Delroy Facey had given Rovers the lead in the first half.
Last season, Tranmere had the chance to relegate MK on the final day of the season at The National Hockey Stadium. It was their first visit their and if they won, MK went down.
However, a late goal from Gareth Edds meant MK won the game 2-1 and jumped out of the relegation zone ahead of Torquay. How ironic it is that now MK could come back to haunt Tranmere and put them in the drop zone (depending on other results).
At Prenton Park earlier on in the campaign, Rovers won 2-0 thanks to goals from Paul Hall and Theo Whitmore on Paul Brown's debut. That win was one of four consecutive home league wins for Rovers, how they would like that to return now.
Vital Stats:
Tranmere have never won away to MK Dons/Wimbledon
Tranmer have only ever beaten MK Dons/Wimbledon twice in ten games, home and away
MK Dons/Wimbledon didn't play Tranmere until the 1980/81 season
The last time Rovers played Wimbledon and didn't manage a win in either game, they got relegated
The last time the teams met on the 29th of the month (January '95), Wimbledon won 2-0
The Form Book:
MK Dons Last 6 Home Games: WLWLLW
Tranmere Last 6 Away Games: DLWDLL
MK Dons' form on the road and at home has improved vastly over the last month and four wins over the two week Easter period has certainlly helped their cause as they aim for last day heroics again to stay up.
In their last six home games they have picked up nine points thanks to victories over Hartlepool United, Southend United and Bradford City, all 2-1!
However, they have had thre defeats in their last six home games, a sign of inconsistency. Losing to Gillingham (2-1) Birstol City and Brentford (both 1-0) have been big set backs in their pust to stay up.
However, some good teams have suffered at The National Hockey Stadium this season. Nottingham Forest travelled there on good form but lost 1-0 and Blackpool were destryoed there, 3-0, on 11th February.
Tranmere's away form however remains as poor as ever. It is now nearly two months since they won at Swindon (2-1) on 7th March. Since they have played three away games against Yeovil (2-2), Rotherham (2-0) and Colchester (1-0) where they have only picked up one point and scored two goals.
In fact, to find the last time Rovers kept a clean sheet away from home, something Brian Little has desperately been trying to do, you have to go back to a 0-0 draw at Bradford on 28th January in the league.
Also in their last six away games, along with the four mentioned above, Rovers have lost to Oldham Athletic (1-0) and drawn 1-1 with Gillingham.
It might also be intresting to note that Rovers have lost an away game 6-1 in three of the previous four seasons. This is the last chance for that to happen this season and will MK Dons do it?
Tranmere Team News:
John Achterberg, Calvin Zola (both thigh injuries) and Sam Aiston (hamstring) remain injured which is a big blow to Rovers. On-loan midfielder Stephen O'Leary serves the second of a three match suspension however Mike Jackson returns from his three game ban and Jason McAteer is available to play after his red-card was recinded.
Brian Little is likely to go with a 5-3-2 formation, looking like so:
Matthew Murray
David Raven, Ian Goodison, Ian Sharps, Mike Jackson (c), Gareth Roberts
Steven Jennings, Jason McAteer, Danny Harrison
Delroy Facey, Chris Greenacre
Jones' Prediction: MK Dons 2-0 Tranmere Rovers