By Steve Manning
MK Dons v Oxford United – The Big Match Preview brought to you by Fleetmaster Group – Fleet Driver Training Solutions
Stadiummk, Saturday 11th February 2023, kick-off: 3pm.
EFL League One Matchday – 30 of 46
Season’s Form:
MK Dons – Position: 19 of 24
Pld 29 W 8 D 4 L 17 gf 27 ga 40 gd -13 Pts: 28
Season top scorer: Mohamed Eisa – 7 goals.
Top league scorer: Will Grigg & Brad Johnson – 5 goals each.
Top assist provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 assists.
Previous result: Dons left the Mem with 3 points, and a clean sheet. A 2-0 victory gave Jacko a deserved victory over ticket-gate instigators Bristol Rovers
Oxford United – Position: 15 of 24
Pld 30 W 9 D 8 L 13 gf 34 ga 36 gd -2 Pts: 35
Top league scorer: Cameron Brannigan – 7 goals
Top assist provider: Lewis Bate, Billy Bodin, and Marcus Browne – 3 assists each.
Previous result: Oxford lost 1-0 at home to in form Shrewsbury Town at the Kassam Stadium (4/2/23)
Head-to-head:
Dons wins: 3 Drawn: 3 The U’s wins: 5
Dons goals: 13 The U’s goals: 16
Last meeting: 17/9/2013, Kassam Stadium, 3pm k.o – Oxford United 1 MK Dons 2 (EFL League One)
Bristol Rovers in Review:
Bristol Rovers caused a stir pre-match when the ticketing allocation was severely affected by The Gas withdrawing on the day sales to many supporters on the day.
This affront to the spirit of football came back to bite Bristol Rovers as goals from Eisa, and Dean earned them three precious points on the road.
On-loan Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah felled hitman Mo Eisa inside the area on 3 mins. It gave Jackson’s Dons the ignition needed to take control of this fixture and bring the points home to North Buckinghamshire.
The Reds defender leaving a leg in Sudan’s finest exports path, it was a gift that Mo Eisa did not spurn, slamming home his penalty from 12 yards out.
Dons dominated their hosts during the game, with Cumming having nothing of note to do until the 89th minute when he dealt with Sam Finley’s effort easily.
If that gave Rovers a glimmer of hope going into added time it was quickly extinguished as Eisa, and Dean combined deep into stoppage time to finish the job. The former Leeds United man gobbling up his gift from man of the moment Eisa, beating Ellery Balcombe to secure a well deserved win.
How Dons could line up?
I’m not expecting much change from the formation that took Bristol Rovers apart on their stamping ground – a combination of both 4-3-3 & 4-2-3-1.
Possible Dons starting XI:
Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Jules, Harvie (c); B. Johnson, Devoy; Kaikai, Dean, Leko; Eisa.
How Oxford could line up?:
Oxford will most likely mirror MK in fielding their side in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Possible Oxford starting XI:
Eastwood; Long, Moore, Browne, Fleming; McGuane, Bate; Goodhram, Bodin, Wildschut; Joseph.
Ones to watch:
Max Dean – striker: Eyebrows were raised high by certain quarters of the Dons fanbase following young Max’s arrival from Elland Road in January.
Dean’s goal against the Gas last Saturday exemplified the recruitment team and the reasons why this lad was signed permenantly by Liam Sweeting.
He is still developing which is a bonus for the club and his finishing can only get better.
Billy Bodin – attacking midfielder: Bodin is continuing his father’s legacy in football and continues to show why Karl Robinson is happy to have him in at the no.10 role for the U’s.
His father Paul was a deadball expert whose goals helped to fire his club Swindon to the premier league in 1993. Billy seems to have learned a thing or two from his old man. Deadly if the opportunity comes his way.
Score prediction:
Milton Keynes Dons 2 Oxford United 1
My money is on Jackson, and Stockdale celebrating another 3 precious points by the final whistle. A Double over Oxford could be the order of the day.
Match Odds supplied by Ladbrokes:
Dons win: 8/5 Draw: 11/5 Oxford win: 33/20
Dons to win 2-1: 9/1
First Goal-scorer odds (Dons): Max Dean – 4/1
Once again, Thank you for joining me to look at the facts that matter ahead of the Karl Robinson Derby at Stadiummk.
It’s been a difficult season, and now we have 17 Cup finals left to save our league one status.
I will be here for your valentines day fix, where I’ll be doing my best Paddy McGuinness impressions ahead of Bolton away! – no lighty, no likey!
So get behind this team, enjoy the game and COYDs!
Until Next Time, SM.
