Oxford United will be looking to make it six successive league wins when they welcome relegation-threatened MK Dons this weekend.
The U’s are fresh off the back of five impressive league wins – the first time they have achieved that run since 2008 – and will be searching for another three points to remain in the playoffs.
The U’s moved up to third after their win at Shrewsbury last time out and remained there after their promotion rivals failed to capitalise on their respective games in hand on Tuesday night.
Matty Taylor, who was nominated for Player of the Month earlier this week, is the clubs top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions, but didn’t net against the Shrews despite scoring seven in seven.
Manager Karl Robinson, who has also been shortlisted for Manager of the Month, can welcome back Ben Woodburn from his five-month spell on the sidelines, while Liam Kelly made a return in a behind closed doors friendly during the week. But Oxford are now without Nathan Holland who has returned to West Ham after picking up a hamstring injury last time out.
The Dons sit just five points clear of the drop after Tranmere win at Blackpool during the week, but Robinson’s former side won the reverse fixture 1-0 – ending the U’s 18 game unbeaten run.
Rhys Healy is the Dons’ top scorer with 12, including six in his last eight games. Midfielder Alex Gilbey and forward Sam Nombe have both scored five for Russell Martins’ side, while Kieran Agard and Joe Mason both have four respectively.
The two sides have only met six times, with there being two Oxford wins, for draws and two wins for MK Dons.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, Rob Dickie, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, George Thorne, Marcus Browne, James Henry, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Oxford United 2-0 MK Dons
