ewport County will look to extend their good run of form as they play host to MK Dons on Tuesday night. The fixture is a rearrangement of the fixture that was meant to be played last month but a continued spell of heavy rain saw the pitch waterlogged and the game called off shortly before kick-off.
While Manchester City wait in the wings at Rodney Parade, County must not take their eyes off a side who, for much of the season, occupied a spot in the top three of the league table. Additionally, it must also be taken into account the rate at which games have come for County in recent weeks; Tuesday night will be the 10th game of 2019 for the Exiles in just 43 days and will be followed by three more before February is done with.
The match against Middlesbrough last week seems to have been the start of a particularly exciting and efficient way of playing football; Robbie Willmott seems to be inspired again, Tyreeq Bakinson is regaining his good form from earlier in the season and the back line has seldom seemed more solid.
It is likely that Mike Flynn will tweak the side that has started the last two matches while remaining focused on getting all three points; this will give fringe players and new signings the opportunity to stake their claim for a berth against man City while ensuring that key players do not pick up any injuries prior to the game.
It is the aforementioned Cup run that many will have on their mind but it needn’t be reminded that the Dons possess enough quality to give the home side more than a few problems. This being said, the visitors are on a very poor run of form of late; they have lost their last two – against Swindon Town and Exeter City respectively – and five of their last six matches since their 6-0 crushing of Cambridge United on New Year’s day.
The main goal threats for the Dons come in the shape of Kieran Agard and Chuks Aneke, who between them have 26 goals this season. They will look to breach a defence that has only conceded one goal at home this calendar year.
Prediction: Newport County 2-1 MK Dons
As always, I will be live-tweeting updates from Rodney Parade; give me a follow on @DanielFrazer7 for an honest take on the latest League Two offering from South Wales.
