Milton Keynes Dons host Bromley at Stadium MK on 26 September 2026 in an early season EFL League One fixture that both clubs badly need to get right. After seven games, MK Dons sit 22nd with just six points, winless but hard to beat, whereas Bromley occupy 19th with eight points despite shipping 18 goals already. Both earned promotion from League Two last season, MK Dons as runners-up and Bromley as champions but neither has made a convincing start in the higher division. Paul Warne, who took charge at Stadium MK in April 2025 and Andy Woodman, who has managed Bromley since March 2021, are meeting for the first time as opposing managers.
MK Dons arrive having gone D-D-D-L-D across their last five, most recently drawing 0-0 with AFC Wimbledon and 3-3 with Wycombe. Bromley's last five reads W-D-L-L-L, including a 2-1 win over Huddersfield but also a 5-0 thrashing by Leyton Orient that laid bare their defensive problems.
Both squads are at full strength, which suits Warne more than Woodman. MK Dons' draw heavy record has been built on collective shape rather than individual quality, so having everyone available keeps that structure intact. For Bromley, it means Adeboyejo and Cheek are both fit to lead the counter, which is more or less their entire attacking plan.
Warne has built MK Dons around defensive discipline and they have been unbeaten at home in League One. Aaron Collins drives most of their attacking threat, with five goals in seven games already. Bromley under Woodman are similarly set piece minded but lack MK Dons' defensive solidity. Conceding 18 goals in seven games is a serious problem and Warne's side will know it. Victor Adeboyejo and Michael Cheek give them something on the break but the back line has been badly exposed when opposition sides push men forward. Collins against Bromley's centre backs is the contest to watch, while Adeboyejo and Cheek on the break will test MK Dons' full backs, who need to stay disciplined rather than pushing too high.
The clubs have met four times, mostly in League Two, with Bromley leading two wins to one with a draw, though MK Dons won the most recent meeting 2-1 at home.
Both teams favour set pieces over open play creativity and with neither side particularly reliable in between the boxes, dead balls could easily decide this. Bromley have conceded 18 times in seven games and MK Dons will fancy their chances from dead ball situations.
The prediction is MK Dons 2-1 Bromley. MK Dons are unbeaten at home, well organised and badly want their first win of the season. Bromley are leaky at the back and coming off a 5-0 humiliation. Collins should find a way through, likely from a set piece or second phase situation and Bromley will probably nick one through Adeboyejo or Cheek on the counter.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
