Latics have an opportunity to make it back-to-back Sky Bet League Two victories when they travel to Glanford Park to take on Scunthorpe United this weekend (3pm KO).
A dramatic late winner from Davis Keillor-Dunn following a Dylan Bahamboula equaliser saw Latics come from behind to claim all three points against Salford City in their last outing, last weekend.
Form Guide
Scunthorpe are currently on a good run of form, having won their last three League Two games.
They have not conceded in any of the games in that sequence either.
Interestingly, there has not been a draw in any of the Iron’s last 15 games.
Scunthorpe are three places and two points worse off than Latics and sit in 16th place.
The Iron’s last six:
- Colchester United 0-1 Scunthorpe United
- Scunthorpe United 2-0 Port Vale
- Scunthorpe United 3-0 Grimsby Town
- Barrow 1-0 Scunthorpe United
- Scunthorpe United 0-1 Salford City
- Stevenage 3-1 Scunthorpe United
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 54
Latics wins: 16
Scunthorpe wins: 20
Draws: 18
When the sides met earlier this season, it was Scunthorpe who picked up maximum points in the game at Boundary Park.
Second-half goals from Jacob Bedeau and Kevin Van Veen were enough to seal a big win for the Iron back then.
Team News
In terms of selection Head Coach Harry Kewell has confirmed striker Zak Dearnley is nearing a return along with George Blackwood who may be out a little bit longer but both are regulars in training now.
A decision needs to be made on which two loanees will miss out with five only allowed in the matchday squad, but Serhat Tasdemir may not be match ready in time for the game this weekend.
Watch Out For
Abobaker (Abo) Eisa was a constant threat for Scunthorpe when they played at Boundary Park earlier this season.
His pace and direct play was clear to see and he caused the Oldham defence all kinds of problems.
He began his career with Uxbridge and then went on to Wealdstone before making the step up to the Football League with Shrewsbury Town.
Playing 14 times for the Shrews, scoring one goal and gained league two experience with a loan spell at Colchester United.
Eisa signed for his current club in August 2019 and he has managed to net 15 times in 61 appearances.
So far this season, the 25-year-old has six league goals and has set up four.
In The Dugout
Neil Cox is the man in the dugout for the hosts.
Cox was appointed in August 2020, leaving his post as assistant manager at Notts County to take the role.
His role previous to that was the assistant job at AFC Wimbledon and his only other time as manager came with Leek Town between 2010 and 2011.
Cox was already known by Scunthorpe fans as he began his playing career with the Iron in the early 90s before going on to play for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Watford, Crewe Alexandra and Leek Town.
Stadium
Glanford Park (The Sands Venue Stadium)
Capacity: 9,088
Opened: 1988
Record Attendance: 9,077 vs. Manchester United – (22nd September 2010)
Match Officials
Referee: Marc Edwards
This weekend's match official has taken charge of 19 games in this campaign, handing out 67 bookings.
It will also be his first game of the season involving either Latics or Scunthorpe. His last game with Oldham was in February 2020 when Latics drew 1-1 with Forest Green Rovers at Boundary Park.
Assistants: Gareth Mellor & Geoffrey Russell
Fourth Official: Matthew Smith
Sky Bet Odds
The hosts have been made slight favourites for the game at 6/4 whilst Harry Kewell’s men are 8/5.
23/10 is the price available for the draw.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.
