The Build-Up

Bristol City, Swindon Town and even perhaps Preston North End fans will be hoping Notts can 'surprise' MK Dons today, as Notts prepare to host them at Meadow Lane. This is a very tough game for us Magpies, MK Dons are in fine form and may put on a performance to suppress that of what we seen by Swindon.

Notts will have to be tactically prepared, whilst the defence and midfield will be key to over coming any danger.

Key Fixtures

Boxing Day | 26^th December 2014.

Chesterfield v Peterborough United

Fleetwood Town v Bradford City

Port Vale v Sheffield United

Preston North End v Barnsley

Scunthorpe United v Rochdale

Prediction

MK Don's might be seeing this as a 'easy' game, however installing organization and a plan to handle the Don's threats could allow for hard work could pay off. This said, I feel it will be a close game and if the lads do their jobs I see this resulting in a narrow loss, I predict 1-2 win to MK Dons.

Match Odds

Notts to win 3/1 – Draw 13/5 – MK Don's to win 17/20

Head to Head

Notts County – A Notts win would most likely see a return to a play-off position, a draw would keep Notts just outside, anywhere from 8^th to 10^th is realistic. A defeat could see us drop as far as 11^th provided the other clubs all win their games and of course if goal difference ended up favouring Chesterfield.

MK Dons – A win for the visitors could see them move to the very top of the league. Despite having a game in hand, a draw could see them move from 2^nd to 4^th and that is also the worst case scenario if Notts were to beat them.

Key Man

Notts County; Alan Smith - His knowledge and understanding of the philosophy in which the Dons play will be of avast importance but a physical player who can be of a calm influence in midfield would actually benefit Notts.

MK Dons; Danny Green – The wide man’s ability to take on opposition defenders allows him to pull the strings from midfield. He can be a constant threat from his passing, crossing, to his eye for the goal but it's his ability of turning something out of nothing into the perfect opportunity which makes him their key man for PoN.

League Table

As you can see Notts are still in a very healthy position, whilst the league table looks incredibly tight. If we can remain above Peterborough United that would please me, as a side of their stature should be up much higher. Whilst Bradford City, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield are all decent counterparts in this division.

I do expect to see Oldham and Chesterfield fade a little more, with Walsall and Barnsley coming into the mix.

No matter what the outcome Notts will end 2014 in a very respectable position even if we drop around 9^th to 11^th within League One. We will remain with games in hand, with Sheffield United being postponed and also, within the new year Notts start a refresh test against Bristol City, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United.