MK Dons v Barnsley - FA Cup preview and team news
Saturday 16 February 2013
The MK Dons have a huge opportunity to reach the FA Cup quarter finals for the first time in their history, and the first time since their previous incarnation Wimbledon reached the last eight in the 1996-97 season.
The Dons appear to have just let their cup run distract them of late, with Karl Robinson’s men only picking up one win in six league games since the turn of the year to leave them entrenched in mid-table having been comfortably in the play-offs earlier in the campaign. Indeed, since 2013 began, the Dons have won more games in the FA Cup than they have done in League 1.
Robinson is unable to select Izale McLeod, after the former MK Dons goalscorer turned out for Portsmouth in an earlier round, meaning that Alan Smith, once of Manchester United, Newcastle and Leeds may form a strike partnership with Dean Bowditch. Elsewhere, crucial midfielder Luke Chadwick should be fit to take his place in the starting XI.
Barnsley of course famously reached the semi-finals in 2008 after vanquishing first Liverpool and then Chelsea in their cup campaign. Indeed, after a miserable run that saw manager Keith Hill replaced by rookie David Flitcroft, the Tykes have picked up some decent form, with a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions to not only take them into the fifth round of the cup but also lift them from the bottom of the Championship to just shy of safety on goal difference.
Flitcroft could finally hand a start to Trinidadian striker Jason Scotland after the former Ipswich and Swansea man scored in three consecutive games off the substitutes bench while defender Scott Wiseman is doubtful after picking up a knock in training.
See what the expert tipsters at OLBG are tipping on MK Dons v Barnsley
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