MK Dons v Walsall Betting Tips

15:00, Nov 12 2016
15:00, Nov 12 2016
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Two teams who were looking to push for promotion at the start of the season go head-to-head in rather different circumstances as recently-relegated MK Dons are struggling at the bottom-end of the table whilst Walsall’s playoff push is re-energised after a poor start.

After their relegation following a season in the Championship, many were expecting MK Dons to bounce back at the first attempt. However, the Football League is a cruel and unpredictable business and the Dons are currently 20th in the League One table and above the drop-zone by virtue of goal difference.

This poor start to the season led to manager Karl Robinson, who had managed the club for six years, leaving the club by mutual consent.

Robinson left the club on the back of a four match win-less streak and has been temporarily replaced by Richie Barker, the clubs head of coaching. Unfortunately for Barker, he was unable to start afresh in the league as the Dons slipped to yet another defeat – this time away at Sheffield United. Barker’s side then only managed to squeeze past seventh tier Spennymoor Town in the FA Cup before losing by a hefty 4-1 scoreline to Norwich City’s youth team in the EFL Trophy.

Chairman Pete Winkleman has still yet to interview a single candidate for the managerial vacancy despite the club being without a permanent boss for nearly three weeks. The Dons need to appoint somebody quickly before they end up in yet another relegation dogfight.

Going up against Walsall at home is hardly the ideal way to get MK’s form back on track. Fans have still yet to witness a league win at Stadium MK this season. All in all, the club is in a bit of a crisis and it does not look like solving itself on or off the pitch any time soon.

Walsall won just two of their first ten fixtures this season as the club’s hopes for a promotion push quickly started to fade. Manager Jon Whitney is in his first managerial role and was given the job full-time after a good spell as caretaker towards the end of last season. It could have been quite easy for the Walsall board to get rid of their inexperienced manager, however, they were loyal and stuck with their man.

This has paid off massively for the Saddlers with the club now on a five-match unbeaten run, including three victories, and are just three points off the play-off spots.

Given they have one of the smallest budgets in the league and have a huge turnover of players each summer as the vultures pounce Walsall’s young starlets, it is amazing that they still manage to do so well every season.

One of those players who could soon be attracting interest is midfielder Erhun Oztumer who is the club’s top scorer with eight league goals this season. He is only one of a handful of players who is over the squad’s average age of 24 whilst veteran striker Simeon Jackson has also started the campaign well for the Saddlers.

Walsall have always been good going forward with their fluid style of play, unfortunately defence is a bit of a concern with the back-line keeping just three clean sheets in the league all season. If they tighten up then they have a real chance of chasing those play-off spots.

Additionally, whilst going out of the FA Cup to non-league Macclesfield Town was not ideal, it allows them to focus on the league.

For some reason MK Dons have been considered favourites for this game and I am really struggling to see why.  Walsall’s away record may not be fantastic with too many draws, but they are still undefeated on the road in their last four matches.

The Dons look like they are caught in a massive downward spiral right now and I just cannot see them getting anything against a confident Walsall side.

‘Walsall to Win’ (just as was the case for their EFL Trophy win during the week) at the incredible price of 7/2.

However, if you are perhaps a tad concerned about Walsall’s away form – the draws have started to mount up – I would look at backing ‘Walsall Draw No Bet’ at a more-than doubling 12/5. You will double your money on a Walsall win but have the security of your money back if it is all square.

See more tips here.

Single: Lost
League One
15:00/12 nov
MK Dons v Walsall
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Single: Void
League One
15:00/12 nov
MK Dons v Walsall
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