Oxford United turn their attention away from league action as Crystal Palace visit Grenoble Road in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The U’s have made a poor start to the season with just one win from their opening five league games, with the last three matches bringing just one point.
As for Palace, they have made a sound start to the new Premier League season with a win over Aston Villa and a draw at Anfield.
Not only are Oxford in poor form but they are also short on players, in part to injury but also down to poor recruitment during this transfer window. Wingers Yanic Wildschut, Josh Murphy and Marcus Browne are all out along with striker Sam Baldock. This season’s best player in Marcus McGuane also picked up a knock against Morecambe, a game in which captain Elliott Moore also missed. Now, James Henry and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin are also sidelined.
Nathan Ferguson, James McArthur, Jack Butland and James Tonkins are all doubts for Palace, but Patrick Vieira still has plenty of options to choose from.
Wilfried Zaha has scored three times this season for Palace, which is the same number of league goals the U’s have scored in five matches.
Oxford last faced Palace in a competitive fixture back in 1998 when the visitors won 3-1 at the Manor. From the last six league meetings, the U’s have picked up just one point.
Predicted line-up: Ed McGinty, Steve Seddon, Ciaron Brown, Stuart Findlay, Josh Golding, Sam Long, Cameron Brannagan, Lewis Bate, Billy Bodin, Matty Taylor, Kyle Joseph.
Prediction: Oxford United 0-2 Crystal Palace
