League 1 
MK Dons will be aiming to distance themselves from the ensuing League One relegation battle with a win this weekend as they host Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts currently occupy 19th place in the League One table, having picked up 28 points from their 29 league games so far this campaign. In what is a very congested bottom half of the table, the Dons are only one point above the relegation zone but could climb as high as 17th with a win.
The Dons have been making steady progress in the league as of late and have recorded two wins out of their last four league games. Their defence looks to have become more stable in recent weeks having only conceding four goals in their last five outings.
Last time out, MK Dons made it back-to-back away victories courtesy of a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers. Mo Eisa put the Dons ahead inside the opening three minutes, converting from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Jarrell Quansah.
Jackson's side had to defend resolutely against a direct Rovers side but held firm and then sealed the points late on through substitute Max Dean, whose first professional goal in the 90th minute sent the travelling Dons fans into raptures.
After four consecutive league defeats, Oxford United have slid down the League One table and now find themselves in 15th place. The U’s have gained 35 points from 30 league games, having won nie, drawn eight and lost thirteen.
The U’s have recorded four consecutive defeats at the hands of Wycombe, Burton, Barnsley and Shrewsbury, whilst only scoring one goal in the last 370 minutes of open play.
Oxford have failed to claim a point in their past two home games and there is little difference between their home and away form this season - they have earned 18 points at Kassam Stadium and 17 away.
There has been increasing pressure being applied to the Oxford board to sack Karl Robinson who has been at the club since 2018. Robinson has a 40.7% win percentage during his tenure, however some fans argue that Robinson’s style of play will not be enough to earn Oxford promotion into the Championship.
In recent meetings, Oxford United have dominated this fixture, having won three of the last five encounters. The Dons have only recorded one competitive home victory over Oxford, which came in December 2019.
However, in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the start of the season, it was MK Dons, who recorded a rare victory. An unfortunate own goal from John Mousinho in the first half and a Will Grigg penalty late in the day were enough to give MK Dons a 2-1 win at the Kassam Stadium.
These sides are inseparable at the bookies ahead of this weekend’s match, with both sides currently being priced @ 8/5 to take all three points, whilst a draw is priced @ 9/4. The Don’s attacking partnership of Will Grigg and Mohamed Eisa are equally favoured to score in the game @ 9/4.
We are backing a 1-1 draw here as both sides are in desperate need of a win. This matchup is often a close game, with all of the eleven competitive meetings of the sides being decided by one goal or less.
