MK Dons entertain Oxford United this afternoon in the first ever competitive fixture between the two clubs.
Karl Robinson’s side go into the game on the back of a positive result at the Sky Bet League One leaders Bolton Wanderers – the men from MK1 drew 1-1 with the Trotters and were unlucky not to take all three points after missing a second-half penalty.
The Dons will, therefore, be looking to build on the draw and secure their first home victory of the campaign. Robinson’s men have drawn one and lost two of their first three league fixtures at Stadium MK – all three opponents are currently in the top eight.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Oxford look to have found their feet in League One, following their promotion from the fourth tier last season.
After a slow start, the U’s have won three of their last four league matches including an impressive 2-0 success over bitter rivals Swindon Town last weekend – a result which will give them a real boost heading into today's fixture.
Michael Appleton’s side have so far found the net eight times in League One, with striker Chris Maguire (4) their top marksman – the 27-year-old is currently tied for fourth in the division for shots on target.
One weakness? Oxford have lost all three of their away league fixtures this season, scoring only twice and conceding six times.
The Dons earned themselves a share of spoils from their testing league clash at the league leaders.
Bolton took the lead seven minutes in when Mark Beevers found the net from close-range following Jay Spearing’s corner.
Ryan Colclough levelled things up in the second half with first goal for the Club – a bundled finish off his knee after his initial effort was saved by Mark Howard.
The Dons could have taken all three points late on after Kieran Agard was pulled down in the penalty area but Howard saved the striker’s spot-kick, ensuring the match finished 1-1.
The Dons will, therefore, be looking to build on the draw and secure their first home victory of the campaign. Robinson’s men have drawn one and lost two of their first three league fixtures at Stadium MK – all three opponents are currently in the top eight.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Oxford look to have found their feet in League One, following their promotion from the fourth tier last season.
After a slow start, the U’s have won three of their last four league matches including an impressive 2-0 success over bitter rivals Swindon Town last weekend – a result which will give them a real boost heading into today's fixture.
Michael Appleton’s side have so far found the net eight times in League One, with striker Chris Maguire (4) their top marksman – the 27-year-old is currently tied for fourth in the division for shots on target.
One weakness? Oxford have lost all three of their away league fixtures this season, scoring only twice and conceding six times.
The Dons earned themselves a share of spoils from their testing league clash at the league leaders.
Bolton took the lead seven minutes in when Mark Beevers found the net from close-range following Jay Spearing’s corner.
Ryan Colclough levelled things up in the second half with first goal for the Club – a bundled finish off his knee after his initial effort was saved by Mark Howard.
The Dons could have taken all three points late on after Kieran Agard was pulled down in the penalty area but Howard saved the striker’s spot-kick, ensuring the match finished 1-1.
Goalkeeper Vigouroux was also handed his marching orders in stoppage-time, as the visitors ended the match with nine men.
Swindon’s chances of pulling off a comeback were all but finished when Lloyd Jones was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 65th minute.
Maguire then scored again in fortuitous circumstances – he blocked a clearance from Swindon’s goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux and the ball looped into the net.
Chris Maguire gave the U’s a half-time lead with a 44th-minute penalty, following a foul on Liam Sercombe by Nathan Thompson.
Oxford sealed their sixth successive win over arch-rivals Swindon Town courtesy of a 2-0 success at the Kassam Stadium.
“I’m expecting a good game. They are a very good team and we know the quality of the players they have right the way through the group.”
“(John) Lundstram is one of the best midfielders in the league and we know how good (Liam) Sercombe can be. (Joe) Rothwell was someone we tried to sign in the summer – that engine room for them is strong.
Karl Robinson: “It was an amazing achievement for them last year – I remember going to watch them against Millwall in the EFL Trophy semi-final last year and they were excellent.
FIGHTING TALK
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*All odds correct at the time of writing
Liam Sercombe: 9/1
Ben Reeves: 15/2
Chris Maguire: 13/2
Dean Bowditch: 6/1
Wesley Thomas: 6/1
Kieran Agard: 9/2
First goalscorer
Oxford Utd: 9/4
Draw: 5/2
Dons win: 23/20
Result
No previous meetings.
His assistant referees are Edward Smart and Andrew Fox, while the fourth official is Stephen Ross.
Probert, a Premier League-standard official who missed the entire 2015/16 campaign due to injury, has marshalled six matches this term and has shown 13 yellow cards. He has yet to make a sending off.
Lee Probert will take charge of today's clash, refereeing the Dons for the first time since March last year.
Curtis Nelson, Christian Ribeiro and former Dons loanee Rob Hall are out through injury.
For Oxford, Chris Maguire and Alex MacDonald have both been suffering with stomach bug but are expected to be fit and available for an unchanged United squad.
Chuks Aneke (knee) is getting closer to a return but is still several weeks away, while Scott Wootton (knee) has begun his long road to recovery following successful surgery on his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Karl Robinson confirmed two players will be monitored ahead of kick-off, one suffering with an illness and the other a thigh problem.
“All I can say is we’ll give it everything and work as tirelessly as we did last Saturday (in the 2-0 win against Swindon) and hopefully get a similar result.”
Michael Appleton: “I can assure each and every single fan that goes to MK Dons, we won’t take it lightly that they’re prepared to come and support us. !Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook, TwitterThere will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels –
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
