MK Dons vs Portsmouth Predictions

• Only one League 1 team has registered less shots on target at home than MK Dons this season.
• Both teams have scored in just 36% of MK Dons’ home matches in League 1 this term.

Improvement at home

It’s been a struggle for MK Dons since returning to League 1, there can be no denying that. One manager has already gone, while the new man at the helm has been under plenty of pressure since taking the reins. However, things have started to improve of late.

Russel Martin certainly hasn’t turned MK Dons into a side that looks likely to avoid relegation with ease, but The Dons are seemingly moving in the right direction under their fledgling boss. They’ve lost only one of their last four and have won each of their last two home matches in all competitions, beating a very good Oxford side when last in action in the league at this venue.

Defending has been a bit of an issue this term, even at home, though their main problem at Stadium mk has been a lack of goals at the right end. MK Dons have scored in only 50% of their home matches.

Pompey on the up

Portsmouth come into this game off the back of two encouraging wins. Having beaten the league leaders on Boxing Day, Kenny Jackett’s men look primed for a crack at the top six, though after a poor start, they cannot afford many more slip-ups.

Things have improved of late, but Jackett will undoubtedly be wanting further improvement, especially on the road, where consistency has been missing this term. Pompey were defeated when they last played away, while they’ve just two out of nine. A lack of forward penetration has sometimes been an issue for Pompey when playing away from home. They’ve failed to score in three out of nine and have scored more than once on just three occasions.

Lack of goals appeals

From a betting point of view, this isn’t the most appealing fixture, there can be no denying that. Those who are looking to get involved can try ‘Both Teams to Score – NO’, which appeals more than most. MK Dons have failed to score in 50% of their home matches, while both teams have scored in just 36%. Moreover, MK Dons rank as the second worst team in terms of shots on target at home, averaging just 2.82 per game. Portsmouth haven’t done too much better on the road, as they currently sit 14^th, while the visitors are also the best when it comes to conceding shots on target away from home. They’ve shipped an average of just 3.11.

‘Correct Score’ players are pointed in the direction of a 1-0 win for the visitors. Pompey have tightened up of late, keeping a clean sheet in each of their last two. They’ve not been prolific on the road but have enough forward quality to edge it against a side that has often misfired at home. MK Dons have failed to score in four out of six against top-half teams at home this season.