Oldham Athletic make their return to the Football League after a three year hiatus and open their campaign with a trip to one of the promotion favourites MK Dons.
League Two
Our 3 Predictions For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic:
- 1st Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Match Result MK Dons – 8/13
- 2nd Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Both Teams To Score Yes – 4/5
- 3rd Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Aaron Collins To Score Anytime – 6/5
1st Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Match Result MK Dons – 8/13
MK Dons are one of the favourites for promotion and have the serial promotion winning manager Paul Warne in charge. The boss has been able to implement his style over pre-season and has made some impressive additions such as Aaron Collins. MK Dons will need to start strong and a home fixture against a newly promoted side is their chance to do just that.
2nd Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Both Teams To Score Yes – 4/5
MK Dons conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game last season, indicating defensive frailty that could be exposed by Oldham’s attack, particularly players like Mike Fondop-Talum. MK have added goals and attacking threat to their squad with players such as Aaron Collins and Callum Paterson and will look to break down an Oldham defence that was resolute last season.
3rd Prediction For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic: Aaron Collins To Score Anytime – 6/5
Aaron Collins could, and probably should, prove to be a huge signing for MK Dons this season and something of a coup. The striker scored 19 times for Bolton Wanderers in all competitions last season and will want to kick start his career at Stadium MK.
Best Odds For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic:
| Bookmaker | MK Dons | Draw | Oldham Athletic |
| MyriadPlay | 31/50 | 11/4 | 13/4 |
| Gentleman Jim | 8/13 | 3/1 | 7/2 |
| Betarno | 8/13 | 14/5 | 16/5 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:
MK Dons endured a poor season and fell way short of their pre-season aspirations. Mike Williamson had led them to the playoff semi finals in the previous campaign so they did not expect to be struggling and see Williamson depart for Carlisle United before Christmas.
Crawley Town’s promotion winning manager Scott Lindsey was the man chosen to turn their campaign around. Improvements failed to materialise and Milton Keynes found themselves looking over their shoulders at those battling relegation.
Eventually, multiple promotion winning manager Paul Warne was appointed to right the ship. With the former Derby County boss at the helm, expectations will once again be high at Stadium MK.
One of last season’s most consistent performers was Dan Crowley who chipped in with nine assists, alongside Aaron Nemane. Alex Gilbey was the club’s top scorer with 11 and was followed by Scott Hogan with eight and Joe White on six. They averaged 1.1 goals per game but conceded 1.4 per match.
Oldham Athletic return to the Football League after three years away, following a successful playoff campaign in the National League last term. Manager Micky Mellon came in in October and guided the club to a fifth place finish, setting them up for the playoff eliminator against FC Halifax Town. A resounding 4-0 victory over the Shaymen set up a semi final tie with second placed York City and again the Latics were dominant and ran out 3-0 winners.
Mellon’s men continued their incredible run by beating Southend United 3-2 to secure their place in League Two.
Oldham scored 64 goals last season with their top scorer Mike Fondop-Talum netting 18 of those. In their 46 games, Athletic only conceded 48 goals and were well organised and hard to beat.
These two sides haven’t met for more than seven years when MK Dons completed the double over their opponents in League Two. The 2018-19 season would end with MK Dons gaining promotion to League One with a third place finish. In the first meeting between the pair on the opening day of the season, Oldham welcome MK to Boundary Park but were beaten 2-1. The visitors raced into a two goal lead inside 25 minutes thanks to Kieran Agard and Ryan Harley before Dan Gardner pulled one back just before half time.
In the return fixture, Agard was on target again as he doubled the lead given to his side by Chuks Aneke, both goals coming from the penalty spot. Thomas Hamer pulled one back for the Latics but MK Dons held on for a vital three points.
Before the seven year gap, the clubs met regularly and most often in League One. Of the last 16 meetings, MK Dons have been dominant and have been victorious on 11 occasions to Oldham’s three. Most of those encounters have been close and decided by a goal or two, but MK have enjoyed some comprehensive wins.
In the build up to Christmas 2014, a Will Grigg brace and goals from Dean Bowditch, Darren Potter, Dele Alli, Benik Afobe and Carl Baker gave MK Dons a 7-0 victory over their opponents at Stadium MK. Two years previous, Bowditch was again on target as MK Dons ran out 5-0 winners, with the other goals coming from Daniel Powell (a brace), Mathias Doumbe and Stephen Gleeson.
Confrontation
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?Where To Watch MK Dons v Oldham Athletic:
- Location: Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
- Date: August 2nd, 3pm
- TV Channel: Sky Sports+ App
Probable Lineups For MK Dons v Oldham Athletic:
What sort of lineups can we expect from both sides for this opening day clash?
MK Dons Lineup:
- Lineup: C. MacGillivray, L. Offord, L. Maguire, A. Nemane, N. Thompson, A. Gilbey, C. Lemonheigh-Evans, D. Crowley, W. Collar, A. Collins, C. Patterson
- Suspended/injury:
- Coach: Paul Warne
Oldham Athletic Lineup:
- Lineup: M. Hudson, R. Ogle, E. Monthe, D. Daniels, L. Hannant, R. Woods, T. Pett, T. Conlon, J. Kay, M. Fondup-Talum, J. Stevens
- Suspended/injured:
- Coach: Micky Mellon
