Oxford (A) Match Preview

Wealthy University neighbours that don’t care about the football club, a ground that’s holding them back from truly progressing, yellow shirts… there’s a lot we share in common with Oxford United, but don’t for one minute think this is a derby match despite what the lazier elements of the press would have you think.

United travel to promotion-chasing Oxford unbeaten in three games, but still suffering the effects of injuries on a small squad. The home side have also won their past two games, but were shocked last week by the tragic news of the death of popular former player, and OUFC legend Joey Beauchamp.

Takeaways From Bonner’s Corr’s Presser:

• Recent results put us in a healthy position
• Ironside isn’t too far off returning and is working hard to get back to full fitness. Tracey and Dunk are back in the squad
• Oxford will be a big challenge, playing passing football on a big pitch
• All the credit for Liam Bennett’s success lies entirely with Corr!

Expected Line-Up

We’d be surprised if Bennett starts again after his impressive debut on Tuesday night, but a lot of that is down to just how match fit Dunk is. Other than that, we’d expect to see Wes come in for O’Neil (or possibly Adam May) and Lankester to retain his place over Knibbs. Expect a cameo from Shilow Tracey as he returns to fitness.

Mitov, Williams, Okedina, Sherring, Dunk, Digby, May, Wes, Lankester, Brophy, Smith

Who’s Their Player To Watch?

Midfielder Cameron Brannagan was once highly rated by Jurgen Klopp and has ten goals to his name this season, and striker Matty Taylor has a good scoring record at Oxford too, with sixteen to his name this campaign.

Who’s In The Dugout?

One of the longest serving managers in the division, Karl Robinson has been at Oxford since 2018. Formerly successful at MK Dons, he also had a short spell in charge of Charlton Athletic

What’s Their Recent Form Like?

W,W,L,L,W

Any Ex-United Players?

Nope, although any excuse to mention former U Paul Wanless who made almost 100 appearances for his hometown team either side of a long spell at the Abbey.

Last Time Out:

A 1-1 draw welcomed the U’s back to League One for the first time in almost two decades

A Matchday Album To Listen To:

One of the most important albums of the nineties, and one of the best bands to have ever come out of the UK, let alone Oxford… no, of course it’s not Radiohead, but influential shoegazers Ride.

The UTAS Teams Terrible Moosenet Predictions

Owen: 1-1, Lankester

Jack: 2-1 Oxford, TOLAJ (we’ll he’s bound to get one one day…)

Matt: 1-1, May

Julian: 1-1, Smith

Jordan: 2-1 Oxford, Smith

From The Archive:

United in all-amber winning at the Abbey? It’s the future we all dream of. Unfortunately it’s Oxford we’re talking about here, as we took to the Cambridge turf in our away shirt and promptly lost 2-1 to an Oxford side that presumably left their away shirts at home. Carlo Corazzin with the consolation for Cambridge.