Oxford United will be hoping to return to winning ways when Burton Albion visit Grenoble Road on Saturday.
The U’s lost 3-2 at Portsmouth on Tuesday night, ending a run of three straight wins. Despite the defeat, Karl Robinson’s side remain fourth in League One.
Oxford would have been hopeful that Burton could have done them a favour during the week when they faced promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side lost 5-2 at Hillsborough. The defeat leaves the Brewers without a win in four and with just one in their last eight.
The U’s are without captain Elliott Moore for at least a month. James Henry picked up a niggle in the warm-up at Fratton Park and Marcus Browne has a hamstring issue sustained during the loss on Tuesday. Mark Sykes is also absent after missing the trip to the south coast.
Ciaran Gilligan is out for the Brewers while Louis Moult is also a doubt for the visitors.
Striker Daniel Jebson was Burton’s top scorer with nine but he has returned to Sheffield United from his loan spell while the Brewers also lost former U’s striker Kane Hemmings along with Thomas O’Connor, with the pair adding ten goals. Jonny Smith and defender John Brayford have scored five each while former Everton striker Oumar Niasse opened his Brewers account against Sheffield Wednesday.
Oxford may be the highest scoring side in the division but their defensive vulnerabilities remain a cause for concern, with Robinson’s side allowing 46 goals – only Sunderland and Wycombe have conceded more from teams in the top ten.
The U’s have won the last four meetings between the two sides and are unbeaten in five. Oxford won 3-1 on the road earlier this season with the U’s winning 4-0 in this fixture last year. However, of Burton’s six wins against Oxford in the Football League, three have come at Grenoble Road.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Steve Seddon, Luke McNally, Ciaron Brown, Sam Long, Herbie Kane, Cameron Brannagan, Ryan Williams, Gavin Whyte, Sam Baldock, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Oxford United 3-1 Burton Albion
