BOXING DAY PREVIEW: MK DONS vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
24th December
THE OPPOSITION
The Bluebirds travel to Stadium mk on Boxing Day for their first League meeting with MK Dons.
Saturday, 26th December 2015, 3pm. Date:
Stadium mk Venue:
MK Dons currently sit just outside of the drop-zone as we approach the half-way mark in their début Championship campaign. Karl Robinson’s men have won just two of their last eleven League games, although they did come out victorious in their last home match against play-off chasers Sheffield Wednesday.
The Dons are without long-term injury absentees Matthew Upson and Welsh U21 international Joe Walsh. However, they have no fresh injury concerns as they prepare for the visit of Russell Slade’s troops.
City will have to buck an impressive trend if they are to secure a positive result, with MK Dons having won seven of their last eight Boxing Day fixtures. Men to watch for the Dons include top scorer Carl Baker, Dean Bowditch, and winger Josh Murphy, on loan from Norwich, who netted the extra time winner against City in the Second Round of the League Cup in August.
CLUB CONNECTION
MK Dons signed former Bluebird Nicky Maynard in September, following his departure from City at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Having previously starred for Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City and West Ham United, the forward signed for the Bluebirds at the beginning of our promotion season in 2012/13.
However, just three games into his time with City he picked up a serious knee injury away at Millwall, keeping him out until the final day of the season, when he scored from the spot against Hull City. Maynard has netted twice in his eleven appearances for the Dons, including the decisive goal in their recent victory over the Owls. He’ll be eager to get on the score-sheet on Boxing Day, having had a penalty saved last time out against Forest.
MEMORABLE ENCOUNTERS
This is the first League fixture between Cardiff City and MK Dons, with all three of our previous meetings coming in the League Cup Second Round.
Of course, the most recent of those came at the beginning of this season as Josh Murphy’s extra time strike won the match, after Carl Baker had cancelled out Alex Revell’s volley. However, City won by a 2-1 score-line in 2008, courtesy of Ross McCormack’s penalty and a fine free-kick from Peter Whittingham.
Meanwhile, back in 2004 the Bluebirds scored three goals in less than ten first-half minutes on their way to recording a 4-1 away victory over the Dons. Peter Thorne netted a brace, with Lee Bullock and Byron Anthony also getting in on the action prior to Izale McLeod’s late consolation.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
*Tickets will be available on Boxing Day at Stadium mk. Sales will be CASH ONLY with no price increase.*TICKETS:
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live to Ashley James and Sam Roberts on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from MK Dons vs City.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from Stadium mk will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC, and our Match Blog on www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones, with live commentary and plenty more content available on the go.
