Colchester United are in action on Boxing Day when they journey to Stadium MK to go head to head with MK Dons in round 24 of League Two.
The Eagles moved seven points clear of the relegation zone with a hard-fought victory over Salford City at the weekend and will look to pick up successive wins for just the second time this season.
Match preview
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MK Dons ensured that they went into Christmas with high spirits as they turned in a solid team performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Morecambe at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday.
Off the back of a 2-0 home win over Forest Green Rovers, Max Dean opened the scoring with a 31st-minute strike to set the visitors on their way to a sixth straight win over the Shrimps, and after John Joshua Mckiernan restored parity in the 49th minute, Joseph Tomlinson and Dean found the target to make sure of the result.
With that victory, Mike Williamson's men have now gone seven consecutive games without defeat in the league, picking up five wins and two draws since a 1-0 loss at the hands of Accrington Stanley on October 21.
This fine run of form has been owing to their rejuvenation at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have netted 17 goals in their last seven league outings, having scored just seven in the previous nine preceding that run.
The Dons have now won nine of their 21 League Two matches while losing six and claiming six draws to collect 33 points and sit ninth in the league table, two points behind the promotion playoff places.
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Like their hosts, Colchester United gave their fans an early Christmas present as they picked up a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Salford City when the sides squared off at the JobServe Community Stadium last Friday.
In an end-to-end affair, Neil Wood's men were made to rue their wasteful display in front of goal as Joe Taylor and Chay Cooper scored in either half to put the hosts in a safe lead before Conor McAleny pulled one back in stoppage time.
Prior to that, Colchester were on a run of five consecutive defeats across all competitions, including a 4-0 humbling at the hands of West Ham United Under-21s in the second round of the EFL Trophy on December 5.
With 23 points from 23 matches, Matthew Etherington's men are currently 22nd in the league standings, level on points with 22nd-placed Salford City and seven points above Forest Green Rovers in the relegation zone.
Etherington will hope that Friday's victory can serve as a catalyst for a fine run of form as the Eagles not only look to close the year on a high but also generate considerable momentum heading into the new year.
However, their results against MK Dons give little optimism, with Colchester failing to win 13 of the last 17 meetings between the sides, losing 10 and picking up just four wins since September 2008.
Team News
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Dean has been a standout performer for MK Dons and the teenage forward, who has nine goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions, will be one to look out for.
He should spearhead the Dons' attack once again, with Conor Grant and Alex Gilbey starting on either flank, while Ethan Robson and Jack Payne should retain their roles at the centre of the park.
At the defensive end of the pitch, we expect an unchanged back three of Dean Lewington, Warren O'Hora and Jordan Williams, with Craig MacGillivray starting in goal once again.
On the injury front, MK Dons remain without 24-year-old defender Jack Tucker and the attacking duo of Ashley Hunter and Matthew Dennis, who all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Colchester, on the other hand, will have to make do without the services of 20-year-old defender Nico Lawrence, who sustained a severe injury back in August.
English forward Owura Edwards picked up an injury in October's 2-1 loss to Harrogate Town, while fellow striker Samson Tovide is a doubt, having missed the last two matches.
Off the back of an eye-catching cameo at the weekend, Cooper could be rewarded with just his third starting appearance of the season, with Matt Jay, who is yet to find the target this season, potentially dropping to the bench.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Lewington, O'Hora, Williams; Tomlinson, Robson, Payne, Norman; Grant, Dean, Gilbey
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Egbo, Mitchell, Hall, landolo; McGeehan, Read; Fevrier, Chilvers, Cooper; Taylor
We say: MK Dons 2-0 Colchester United
Buoyed by their victory over Salford, Colchester will head into the Boxing Day clash with renewed belief as they look to pull clear of the danger zone. However, they take on an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of their last five League Two home games. MK Dons are currently firing on all cylinders in the league and we fancy them to claim all three points in front of their home supporters.
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