League One Play-off Preview: Scunthorpe United v MK Dons

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 07 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

All four League One play-off contenders deserve to be there, says Alan Dudman. And none more so than MK Dons, whose football has been a delight all year... Best Bet: MK Dons clean sheet @ [3.45].

Celebrities are many in this day and age, heroes are few. Step forward Cliff Byrne of Scunthorpe. His last ditch goal on Saturday secured the all-important point that was needed for the Iron to head into the play-offs, and in the process giving us that huge dollop of drama we so crave on the final day of the regular season.

Well, I have a wedding to go to this weekend, as one of my best friends is going to become a made man (that is the right phrase isn't it?). He is known as 'the Magic', and the two games coming up have a real magic feeling for me.

Firstly, I think all the right teams are contesting this year's final quest for promotion. MK Dons finished third, and with 87 points can count themselves unlucky not to go straight up. Their football has been a delight this term.

Although I have found Millwall a tricky betting medium on occasions this season, Kenny Jackett has done a terrific job with a squad that was geared for promotion - but perhaps didn't believe it. Leeds are Leeds, and a totally different animal under one of the game's highly promising young coaches.

Scunthorpe flew the gates at the start, their fitness and stamina levels have been well advertised. And although they may be the less fashionable of the quartet, they've a real chance of getting back into the Championship thanks to the brilliant work of Nigel Adkins. They are a really decent side who have scored a stackful.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds trade as the [2.76] favourites to go up. MK Dons can be backed at [3.65], whilst the whipper-ins are Millwall [4.80] and Scunny [6.00]. All can be found in the promotion outright market.

Scunthorpe United [2.68] v MK Dons [2.86], the draw [3.54]

Friday night, live on Sky, kick-off 19:45 BST

These two locked horns a few weeks ago, and it was the MK Dons who prevailed 1-0 then. The fact that Scunthorpe beat them 2-0 in December tells us not to read too much into past results. Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo said this week: "Sometimes these can be nervy games, but we will just try to play our own game."

Scunthorpe are expecting a sell-out for the first leg of this play-off semi-final, and the tight Glandford Park ground will make for a white-hot atmosphere.

The home side undoubtedly come into the two legs as underdogs, and boss Nigel Adkins has a real defensive headache ahead of the weekend. Andrew Wright's facial injury from last Saturday was described as a 'right mess' by the manager. He is a major doubt as is Joseph Mills who left last weekend's game on crutches with an ankle injury. Both have been brilliant this season, and I suggest waiting very late to find out if they are both playing.

Elsewhere, Arsenal's on-loan defender Henry Lansbury is out injured, but he wouldn't have been eligible anyway as the terms of the loan expired for Friday's game.

Scunthorpe have been very tight at the back at Glandford Park, and I would be worried about keeping the Dons out over two legs. However, they are a very fit side, and always have the ability to score goals. Striker Gary Hooper has bagged 30 goals in all competitions. He is the poacher supreme, whilst strike partner Paul Hayes has helped himself to 19 goals - they form a real potent partnership.

Meanwhile MK Dons rapidly are becoming the 1-0 specialists, and a steady end to the season rather belied the fact their football has always been flowing, attacking and exciting.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has injury doubts to key players too. Defender Sean O'Hanlon and forward Ali Gerba both have knee injuries, whilst midfielder Luke Chadwick missed training on Tuesday (although the latter
I expect to be fit for Friday).

I have eulogised their attacking merits this season, but recently the back pairing of Jude Sterling and Miguel Llera have been awesome.

Key player: For the home leg, midfielder Grant McCann interests me the most. I remember him as a creative, clever little footballer when he was a kid at West Ham. A lovely footballer, with a good touch and killer delivery. He is important on set-pieces and supplying the feed to Hayes and Hooper. Interesting too in the scorers market.

It should promise goals, but as an opener for the two-legs, I feel it will be a bit of a feeler, with perhaps MK Dons confident of taking them back to get a result. Expect a more open game in the second-leg.