MK Dons to host Wigan in 2017/18 season opener
Milton Keynes Dons will face Wigan Athletic at home in the opening match of the 2017/18 season.
The fixture release earlier today (21/06) confirmed that Robbie Neilson’s side will begin the new season by taking on the Latics in the opening game of the season, which will be on August 5th. Wigan were relegated from the Championship last season just twelve months after winning the League One title.
MK Dons last faced Wigan in the FA Cup in 2014, drawing the initial tie in Lancashire before being beaten 3-1 in extra-time at stadium:mk. The one-time Premier League club is the first test for Neilson’s side as they look to improve on a 12th place finish last season.
The Dons’ second league game of the season is an away match against League Two play-off winners Blackpool on August 12th. The opening month is rounded off by games against Gillingham at home and Blackburn Rovers away.
September represents a month of big clashes for the Dons. During the month, they will face local rivals Oxford, Peterborough and Northampton, as well as the first of the season’s two clashes against AFC Wimbledon.
MK Dons will travel to Kingsmeadow for only their second ever trip to AFC Wimbledon’s home on September 23rd. The reverse fixture in Milton Keynes is on January 13th.
On Boxing Day, the Dons will take on Plymouth Argyle at stadium:mk, and they will then end 2017 by facing Peterborough at home. The team are also in action on New Year’s Day, taking on Oxford at the Kassam Stadium in their first game in 2018. Meanwhile, the Dons’ Easter double header will see them take on Gillingham on March 31st, and Blackburn on Easter Monday.
The final match of the season will see MK Dons face Shrewsbury Town away on May 5th 2018, with the Dons’ final home match of the season being against Scunthorpe United the week before.