MX23RW : Saturday, March 15 07:25:18| >> :600:712629:712629:
[monks data]
Carlisle United
League Two | Gameweek 26
Mar 25, 2025 at 7.45pm UK
Brunton Park
MK Dons

Carlisle
vs.
MK Dons

Preview: Carlisle United vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Carlisle United and MK Dons, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Carlisle United square off against MK Dons on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that would move them off the bottom of the League Two table.

Meanwhile, MK Dons make the long trip North requiring a victory to remain within touching distance of the playoff positions.


Match preview

MK Dons head coach Scott Lindsey on December 26, 2024© Imago

When being appointed as Carlisle boss in September, Mike Williamson would have been aware of the task in hand as he bid to keep the club in the fourth tier as a bare minimum.

However, the former defender would not have expected to record just four wins from his first 21 matches in charge, 11 of those games ending in defeat.

To his and his team's credit, just four losses have come from the most recent 10 league outings, never going down by more than a two-goal margin.

Nevertheless, last weekend's 1-0 reverse at Tranmere Rovers has left Carlisle sitting six points adrift of safety courtesy of the recent results of the four teams above the relegation zone.

Although just two victories have been recorded in 12 league fixtures at Brunton Park this campaign, they did overcome Accrington Stanley over the Christmas and New Year period.

Carlisle United head coach Michael Williamson during his side's match against Walsall, on October 22, 2024© Imago

Williamson is facing his former club MK Dons for the first time since his move and he will be quietly confident of earning something from the game.

MK Dons have collected just four points from their last six matches in League Two, the most recent of four defeats coming by a 1-0 scoreline at home to Salford City.

Positives will be taken from that contest, while Scott Lindsey will not over-react with four points coming from the previous two encounters with Crewe Alexandra and Chesterfield respectively.

Furthermore, MK Dons have recorded four victories from their last five away contests in this division, albeit the defeat that they suffered to Newport County seeing them concede six times.

Carlisle United League Two form:

MK Dons League Two form:


Team News

 Daniel Adu-Adjei  of Carlisle United pictured on November 15, 2024© Imago

Harrison Neal and Daniel Adu-Adjei are both pushing for recalls to the Carlisle XI.

With Callum Whelan having recently been signed from Gateshead and slotted into the engine room last time out, Harrison Biggins is at risk of losing his place.

Meanwhile, Scott Hogan may be recalled to the MK Dons attack in place of Ellis Harrison, with both forwards having only netted three times in the league this season.

The rest of the team could stay the same unless Tom Carroll is drafted back into the midfield.


Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Hayden, Lavelle, Mellish; Sadi, Neal, Whelan, Harper; Embleton, Harris; Armstrong

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
McGill; Offord, Lawrence, Sherring; Nemane, White, Kelly, Tomlinson; Hendry, Gilbey; Hogan


SM words green background

We say: Carlisle United 1-2 MK Dons

Given MK Dons' poor run of form, Carlisle will be optimistic of earning at least a share of the spoils. However, we feel that the visitors will do enough to scrape maximum points here, even if it is in a war of attrition.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:562337:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9249:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Data Failed

Who will win Saturday's League Two clash between Carlisle and MK Dons?

Carlisle United
Draw
MK Dons
Carlisle United
100%
Draw
0.0%
MK Dons
0.0%
2
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Notts County midfielder Dan Crowley and manager Stuart Maynard pictured on December 26, 2024
Read Next:
New Year's Day's League Two predictions including Notts County vs. Walsall
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall37209867432469
2Bradford CityBradford36199848301866
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster361881053431062
4Notts County361710955371861
5AFC Wimbledon361791047252260
6Port Vale35151374437758
7Crewe AlexandraCrewe36141484437756
8Grimsby Town36175145153-256
9Colchester UnitedColchester36131674233955
10Bromley371313114845352
11Salford City361311124341250
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood361213114943649
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham361310134851-349
14Chesterfield351391356431348
15Swindon TownSwindon361113125252046
16BarrowBarrow35127163841-343
17Newport CountyNewport36127174561-1643
18MK Dons35126174650-442
19Gillingham35118163038-841
20Harrogate TownHarrogate36117182945-1640
21Accrington StanleyAccrington36109174454-1039
22Tranmere RoversTranmere36712172755-2833
23Morecambe3685233154-2329
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3569202551-2627


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!