The Robins welcome MK Dons to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Boxing Day (kick-off: 3pm).
Michael Duff’s side will be aiming to deliver a late Christmas present to the supporters with a winning performance in a very tough test against a team currently sitting in the Sky Bet League Two automatic promotion places.
It’s the first of back-to-back home fixtures over the festive period, and one of four matches in 11 days, but on the back of an ever improving run of form the Robins will head into the challenge that awaits them filled with confidence.
Tickets are available to be bought in advance online here or on the day at the turnstiles as the Robins get set to welcome the Dons in front of a good crowd at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Team news
Tom Field and Sean Long both remain out of contention, though Kevin Dawson and Jacob Maddox are on their way back to fitness.
Ryan Broom is unlikely to feature due to the hamstring problem that ruled him out of Saturday’s draw at Swindon.
Watch Michael Duff’s pre-match thoughts below:
The team have been working hard in preparation for the game, watch some clips from their most recent work on the training pitches at the Energy Check Seasons Training Ground:
Opposition
The Dons travel to Gloucestershire second in League Two despite losing to third place Colchester United on Saturday. They have picked up 43 points from 22 games so far – an impressive total that sees them sit firmly in the automatic promotion places as they chase an immediate return to the third tier.
They boast a notable front line of attacking options who will offer a real threat. Kieran Agard is their leading marksman, though he’s closely followed behind by Chuks Aneke and Cardiff City loanee Rhys Healey.
Manged by Paul Tisdale, the former Exeter City boss is hoping to mastermind promotion to League One at the first attempt since taking charge in the summer.
They have won four times on the road in the league this season, however their last two away trips in both League Two against Stevenage, and in the FA Cup at Grimsby have ended in defeats.
A squad that features experienced heads such as Dean Lewington and talented ball players such as Jordan Houghton, Alex Gilbey and former Robins loanee Lawson D’Ath will provide a strong test.
Previous meetings
MK Dons have bossed the record between the two clubs in four previous meetings that have all gone the way of the Stadium MK side. Boxing Day will be only the second time the two clubs have met in League Two – the only other two league clashes came in League One in the 2008-09 campaign when the Dons came out on top twice.
In that second meeting in the 2008-09 campaign it was a tale of two hat-tricks as Aaron Wilbraham bagged a treble at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, while Damian Spencer did the same for the Robins – only to be red carded four minutes after scoring his third.
The two other games have both been League Cup fixtures. In August 2011 MK Dons won 4-1 at Cheltenham, while 12 months later they met again in the same competition in Gloucestershire with the Dons winning 5-3 on penalties after the game had ended 1-1.
Tickets
Tickets are available to purchase online in advance of the match by clicking here. They can also be bought at the turnstiles – cash only.
Robins fans have the Autovillage Stand, Speedy Skips Stand and The Completely Motoring Colin Farmer Stand allocated to them. Away fans will be located in the Hazlewoods Stand.
For ticket prices and other information click here.
Coverage
Stay up to date by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter for updates throughout the afternoon. You can also catch score updates on the club’s Facebook page, while you’ll be able to find full reaction on the club website after the game.
Listen to commentary via iFollow by checking out ctfc.com/ifollow.