Stadium MK
Friday 9 January, 7:30pm
The U's switch their attention to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend, as they head to Stadium MK to take on MK Dons in the Third Round on Friday evening.
Tickets
Tickets for tonight are on sale via the ticket office and online until 12pm however there will be sales available on the night.
Any tickets for collection that are not collected before 12pm will go to Stadium MK for collection prior to kick off.
Both sales and collections are from the away ticket office which is located at gate 3.
Form Guide - Snapshot
- Oxford United: W1 D0 L4 from the previous five games. The Yellows were afforded some additional time to prepare for this weekend's game following the postponement of last weekend's game away to Sheffield United. A win in the cup would give the team an important boost ahead of a vital second half of the season.
- MK Dons: W2 D2 L1 in their last five. The Dons currently sit in fifth place in League Two and will relish a home cup clash under the lights. Despite being two leagues below the U's, MK Dons will be full of confidence following a strong first half of the season.
The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check
The two sides first met in League One in 2016 and have since gone head-to-head a further 12 times across all competitions. From the 13 encounters so far, Oxford hold the edge with five wins and four draws, while the Dons have claimed victory on four occasions.
The Yellows are unbeaten in their last three visits to Stadium MK, drawing in 2023 and 2021, and securing a memorable 2–1 win in September 2021 courtesy of goals from Matty Taylor and Mark Sykes.
The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost
- Will Lankshear back in form: The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward ended a nine-game goal drought at Portman Road on Thursday, and that strike could prove the catalyst for a confidence-boosting scoring run. The 20-year-old has had several tough battles as the lead forward against experienced Championship centre-halves, and he will relish the opportunity to face a League Two defence.
- Brian De Keersmaecker - The Playmaker: The Belgian midfielder has caught the eye since arriving at the Club in the summer and has quickly established himself as one of the team’s standout performers. Regularly unlocking opposition defences with his vision and quality, De Keersmaecker will head into this fixture confident of playing a decisive role.
- Michal Helik/Ciaron Brown vs Callum Paterson: Dons forward Paterson, a 17-cap Scotland international, has enjoyed an outstanding campaign so far, registering eight goals and seven assists. A key figure in his side’s promotion push during the first half of the season, he will look to use his strength and physical presence to test Helik and Brown at the heart of the U’s defence.
Team News From Both Camps
Captain Cameron Brannagan and midfield Matty Phillips will both return to the matchday squad following lengthy spells out of the team through injury.
Tyler Goodrham was forced to leave the pitch early on in the clash with Ipswich Town on New Year's Day and is expected to be absent for this game. Przemsław Płacheta will also face s short spell out with a calf injury.
New signing Jamie Donley, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is available and in contention to make his debut for the U's.
For the Dons, former Cardiff City and Derby County winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will miss the game with a hamstring injury, while club captain and joint-top scorer Alex Gilbey will also be absent with a groin injury.
Opposition Focus: The Dons Flying High in League Two
1) Under the guidance of former Derby County manager Paul Warne, MK Dons have developed a clearly defined style that has delivered consistent results. Operating with a back three, attacking wing-backs and a two-man strike force, they look to maximise width and isolate opposition full-backs, regularly delivering crosses into the box. As the top scorers in League Two, supporters have been treated to an expansive and entertaining brand of football.
2) MK Dons boast the oldest average squad in League Two, with a mean age of 29.5 - a level of experience that has clearly played a role in their promotion push so far. By contrast, Oxford United’s squad averages 26.7, underlining the difference in profile between the two sides.
3) The club will be targeting a place in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2018, when a third-round victory over QPR was followed by defeat to Coventry City.
Player To Watch: Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
The Aston Villa academy graduate has spent recent seasons gaining experience across the EFL with spells at Swindon Town and Crawley Town, before joining the Dons in June 2025. Despite spells on the sidelines through injury, he has made a strong impression since his arrival, scoring seven goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.
Two of those strikes came in the opening round of this season’s FA Cup, where he netted a brace in a dramatic 3–2 away win at Colchester United. Hepburn-Murphy brings electric pace and direct running in the final third, stretching defences and creating space for teammates. His ability to take on defenders one-on-one makes him a constant counter-attacking threat, while a partnership with target man Callum Paterson suits his game perfectly - allowing him to run the channels and capitalise on flick-ons and loose balls.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Friday 9 January, 7:30pm at Stadium MK.
- Recent form (last five): Oxford W1 D0 L4; MK Dons: W2 D2 L1.
- Goals: Oxford have scored 25 goals this season, MK Dons have scored 46.
- Fun Fact:
- Historic classics: Oxford 1-0 MK Dons (19 April 2022); MK Dons 1-2 Oxford (11 December 2021); Oxford 3-2 MK Dons (20 October 2020)
- Played for both teams (Years at Oxford): George Baldock (2015-2016); Sam Baldock (2022-2023); Jamie Cumming (2024-present); Robert Hall (2016-2021); Liam Kelly (2020-2021); Jamie Mackie (2018-2020); Josh McEachran (2023-2025); Josh Murphy (2022-2024)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (6 goals); Callum Paterson; Alex Gilbey (8 goals).
Voices from the Camp:
Watch Craig Short & Cam Brannagan's Press Conferences below:
RETAIL
Our January Sale is LIVE! Keep your eyes peeled for fantastic discounts across a wide range of products throughout the opening month of 2026. Click HERE to explore the sale.
COMING UP
We have two cracking games to look forward to at the Kassam in January. We take on Bristol City, QPR and Birmingham in OX4 and you can secure your seat by clicking HERE.
It's not just the Men's team that are in cup action this month - the Women’s side and Under-18s will also be bidding to progress in their respective competitions.
Oxford United Women face Middlesbrough in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 18 January, and the Under-18s return to the Kassam Stadium on Thursday 22 January to take on Colchester United in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup.
Tickets for these matches are available:
- By clicking HERE
- By calling 01865 337 533
- By visiting the Ticket Office in person
MATCHDAY GUIDES
Matchday Guide
Get ready for matchday at Stadium MK! Click the arrow below to explore travel info, stadium facilities, and top tips provided by MK Dons for making the most of your day.
