MK Dons v Crawley: Prediction, Tips and Odds

MK Dons lost Tuesday's League Two play-off semi-final first leg 3-0 away to Crawley and face a huge task of trying to turn the tie around.

Mike Williamson's side finished eight points above Crawley in the regular season, but they need a massive response after being outplayed and outfought at the Broadfield Stadium.

MK Dons v Crawley Predictions

MK Dons and both teams to score - 2/1

Crawley are the club hardly anybody expected to feature in the League Two promotion race, but they stand on the brink of reaching the League Two play-off final and can clinch a trip to Wembley by sticking to their attacking principles in Buckinghamshire.

MK Dons are likely to play much better than they did in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss and are capable of responding with a victory.

However, they have left themselves a mountain to climb and their hopes could be further diminished by a failure to keep a clean sheet.

MK Dons were the only fourth tier play-off contender assured of top-seven finish going into the final day of the regular season.

Williamson’s side were guaranteed a play-off berth with two games to go, but their early qualification may have worked to their disadvantage.

The Dons collected four points in their last two games, but there was a lack of defensive focus on both occasions with a frantic 5-3 win away to Harrogate and a chaotic 4-4 draw at home to Sutton.

And the Dons' defensive struggles continued on Tuesday when they were outplayed by a Crawley side better prepared for the majority of the 90 minutes.

The Red Devils played with an intensity and focus which the Dons struggled to match and were thoroughly deserving of their victory.

MK Dons had a fairly even share of possession (48.5 per cent), but they didn’t do a lot with it and afforded a relatively easy night’s work for Crawley keeper Corey Addai, who was not required to make anything more than routine saves.

Over the course of the season, MK Dons have been widely praised for their patient, possession-based approach, but they will need to up the intensity levels if they are to get back into the tie.

Playing with a higher press should unsettle Crawley and increase the number of attempts on goal, but the Dons are likely to leave themselves open at the back and Crawley have the players to take advantage.

Scott Lindsey’s side have played positively throughout the season and have notched in each of their last eight games.

An extension of that scoring streak should help them seal a place in the final.

Max Dean to score any time - 13/10

Dons striker Max Dean had a frustrating time in Tuesday’s first leg, but he was his team’s most dangerous player and is likely to have a bigger impact at the weekend.

Dean was denied by a goal line clearance after just three minutes of the first leg and he seemed to lose his composure from that moment onwards.

However, he is a livewire player and has had a positive campaign, scoring 15 league goals in 29 appearances.

Dean should get a few more sights of goal on Saturday and looks a worthwhile wager to get on the scoresheet.

Jay Williams to be carded - 7/4

Crawley’s midfield duo of Jay Williams and Liam Kelly were outstanding in the first leg and their efforts will be key to taking the West Sussex side a step closer to promotion.

Kelly caught the eye with his passing and work-rate while Williams excelled in the physical exchanges.

Williams can step over the mark with his tacking and has collected 15 League Two yellow cards this season and he looks overpriced for a caution in this game.

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MK Dons v Crawley odds

MK Dons - 8/11
Draw - 3/1
Crawley - 16/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.