Preview: Oldham Athletic vs Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Oldham Athletic will play their first home game of the 2025-26 League Two season on Saturday afternoon at Boundary Park, and the newly-promoted side will be looking to secure all three points after picking up a draw in their first game against MK Dons.

Colchester United finished 10th in the league in 2024-25, and the U's will be aiming to make a strong start by picking up their first win of the new season after earning a draw in their previous game against Tranmere.

Match preview

The Latics are playing in the English Football League for the first time in three years, and last season's National League playoff winners did well to frustrate the Dons in their opening game.

Both teams failed to create enough clear-cut chances, with Mike Fondop managing to keep his shot on target, the game's first and indeed only one, in the 88th minute.

On Tuesday, the Owls faced Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium in the preliminary round of the EFL Cup, and the visitors were thoroughly outplayed as they lost 3-1.

Oldham conceded all three goals in the first half, and while they improved after the break, it was always going to be a monumental task to stage a comeback.

Colchester conceded only 47 goals last season, and they have bolstered their defence this summer by signing Jack Baldwin from League One club Northampton Town.

The 32-year-old, who has made nearly 450 league and cup appearances during his professional career, will bring experience to this side, and Danny Cowley is elated to secure the defender's signing.

The U's drew 1-1 in the opening game, where they produced a spirited second-half performance, with Kyreese Lisbie scoring in the 87th minute to salvage a point, after Connor Jennings scored for the Rovers in the first half.

It has been a busy summer window for Colchester, and Cowley handed debuts to summer arrivals Will Goodwin, Jaden Williams, Kane Vincent-Young and Ben Perry.

Oldham Athletic League Two form:

Oldham Athletic form (all competitions):

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Colchester United League Two form:

Team News

Oldham Goalkeeper Tom Donaghy picked up an injury against Accrington and was replaced by Mathew Hudson in the 37th minute.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who joined the Latics from Fleetwood Town, is unlikely to feature this weekend, which means Hudson will continue in goal.

Luke Hannat started in the cup game, but he could be replaced by 22-year-old Jake Leake, who was simply outstanding against the Dons, making two tackles and seven clearances.

Colchester striker Samson Tovide was almost sure to join Luton Town after a bid from the Hatters was accepted, but the two clubs were unable to agree on the structure of the proposed deal.

The move is now off, and Cowley hinted that he could bring back the striker into his starting XI. Lisbie, who scored in the previous game, could get a chance to impress from the start in place of Harry Anderson.

Likewise, Baldwin could be drafted straight into the starting lineup, with Jack Tucker most likely to be dropped.

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:

Hudson; Ogle, Daniels, Monthe, Leake; Morris, Woods, Conlon, Stevens; Fondop, Drummond

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Macey; Vincent-Young, Baldwin, Flanagan, Hunt; Lisbie, Perry, Bishop, Owura Edwards; Goodwin, Williams

We say: Oldham Athletic 1-1 Colchester United

Oldham looked defensively solid in their opening game, and they are likely to make life tough for Colchester. However, the U's are capable of scoring and are likely to get a result away from home.

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