The Fox Report - Kangasniemi to start? Foxes to kick on poor form?
Leicester vs MK Dons Preview
As Leicester City’s focus returns to league football, after their 3-1 defeat away at Ipswich Town, City travel to Milton Keynes to face MK Dons on Saturday.
Leicester sit 18th in League One, the lowest position the club has ever placed, after their league loss to Burton Albion at home and their away draw at Notts County.
MK Dons sit in 14th after back-to-back draws in League One, 1-1 at home to Huddersfield and 2-2 away at Oxford United.
Milton Keynes lineup with an extra few days of rest as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the first round away at Norwich 4-1.
Whilst Leicester played on Tuesday night, travelling 122 miles to the East Coast to face Norwich’s rivals, Ipswich Town.
Doubtful Starts, Injuries and Suspensions
Oliver Skipp will miss this match due to suspension after his straight red card in the loss to Burton Albion.
Ilari Kangasniemi looks ahead to a potential debut after signing on Wednesday from Finnish top-flight side FC Inter Turku, the 19-year-old, 6 foot 6, Centre half signed for a record fee from the Finish top-flight, breaking Teemu Pukki’s record.
We’ve signed centre-back Ilari Kangasniemi from Finnish top-flight side FC Inter Turku, subject to league and international clearance 🤝
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 26, 2026
Welcome, Ilari! 🦊 pic.twitter.com/sCBfmsa0OE
Hamza Choudhury, Wout Faes, Stephy Mavididi and Louis Page may all be set to miss out after Russell Martin’s approach of not playing players that are under offer from another club.
However, Louis Page did make an appearance from the bench at Ipswich Town.
Harry Souttar has also been linked with a move away from the club as deadline day looms.
Wrexham are in talks to sign Leicester City centre-back Harry Souttar.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 26, 2026
It’s understood discussions are still at an early stage for Australia’s World Cup captain. #LCFC are believed to value Souttar, 27, at around £10m - a figure that has put off a number of interest clubs from… pic.twitter.com/diHtTnRmNx
Ben Nelson and Kane Wilson will both not feature due to long term injury.
Head-to-head in Previous Meetings
The Foxes haven’t met MK Dons very often in league or cup fixtures, the last 5 meetings stretch back all the way to 2008.
The most recent fixture was in 2022, a League Cup matchup in the round of 16. It was a 3-0 win for Leicester at Stadium MK with goals from Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez. Only 2 players from that squad are still at the club in Luke Thomas and Will Alves.
There was a 0-0 pre-season friendly in 2017 and a 2-0 pre-season friendly in 2014 with goals from David Nugent and James Pearson, Nigel Pearson’s son, both matches that were hosted at Stadium MK.
The last league meetings were in the 2008/09 League One season, the last time Leicester dipped into the third tier of English football.
Leicester City won 2-0 at home and the away fixture was a 2-2 draw, with goals from Matty Fryatt and a 90th minute equaliser in the form of a Max Gradel free kick.
Max Gradel’s stunning free-kick goal late into stoppage time on our last visit to MK Dons in the League😍 #lcfc #leicestercity pic.twitter.com/LG9dpTeBbS
— The Final Whistle (@TFWhistle__) August 27, 2026
Familiar Foes
Due to the age of MK Dons, there is only a handful of players who have played for both teams.
More noticeably three players; Lloyd Dyer, Harvey Barnes and Franco Ravizzoli.
Lloyd Dyer signed for Leicester City from MK Dons; he was at Milton Keynes for two years between 2006 and 2008. Dyer made his debut for The Foxes in a 2-0 win over MK Dons, he played over 6 seasons at Leicester City, including gaining promotion to the Championship in his first season and was instrumental in the side that got promoted to the Premier League.
Dyer scored in a 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers that confirmed Leicester’s crown as League Champions but left the club to Watford in June 2014.
Harvey Barnes spent a brief spell at MK Dons on loan from Leicester City, although Barnes came through the City academy. He was at The Dons in the 2016/17 season, the year after Leicester won the Premier League.
Harvey lifted the Fa Cup and the Community Shield during his time at Leicester before making the move to Newcastle United for £38m in the summer of 2023, as Leicester were relegated to the Championship.
The only current player to have been at both sides is Franco Ravizolli.
The Argentine Goalkeeper played for MK Dons between 2021 and 2023, making only 9 appearances and 3 clean sheets, he signed for Leicester City from Blackpool this summer but has yet to make an appearance for The Foxes.
Predicted Lineup
Jakub Stolarczyk
Jayden Joseph
Luke Thomas
Ilari Kangasniemi
Christian McFarlane
Sammy Braybrooke
Louis Page
Conor Chaplin
Will Alves
Admir Bristric
Tommy Watson
Harry Pascoe 
Alec Hayward 
