Oxford United travel to League Two strugglers Walsall this Saturday as Karl Robinson’s side return to FA Cup action.
Despite the scoreline, the U’s eased past Hayes and Yeading United in the first round, while the Saddlers needed a replay to get past Darlington.
Oxford are currently on an impressive fifteen game unbeaten run in all competitions following a comfortable 4-0 win over Southend United last time out and as a result, find themselves 6th in League One.
Walsall, who suffered relegation from League One last season, find themselves in 22nd in League Two, just five points clear of the bottom two sides.
But, including the two FA Cup ties against Darlington, Darrell Clarke’s side are unbeaten in four games but suffered six straight defeats before that run.
Oxford are still without key players through injury, including Cameron Brannagan and Ben Woodburn, and Shandon Baptiste was added to that list after picking up a groin injury during the warm-up at the weekend.
James Henry is the U’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions, whilst Tariqe Fosu has eight and Matty Taylor has added seven.
Caolan Lavery has five goals for Walsall, while former U’s defender James Clarke has chipped in with three.
Walsall have scored just 14 goals in the league this season; the second-worst in the division, while Oxford have scored 37 in League One, just three behind Peterborough United.
The U’s have won just once from their last six meetings with the Saddlers, but that came at the Bescot Stadium last season as Robinson’s side ran out 3-1 winners.
Both sides reached the third round last season, but both were knocked out at that stage.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Rob Dickie, Elliott Moore, Chris Cadden, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Mark Sykes, James Henry, Tariqe Fosu, Anthony Forde, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Walsall 0-2 Oxford United
