Oxford United will be looking to avoid a third successive league defeat as they travel to Bristol Rovers tomorrow.
The U’s made a bright start to the season, picking up four points against Sunderland and Peterborough United, before progressing to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
But an unjust defeat at Blackpool and a second-half collapse at home to Burton have left U’s boss with some thinking to do.
As for Rovers, they lost two of their opening three league games without finding the net, drawing the other in a goalless match, but they come off the back of a win over Tranmere.
Matty Taylor, who made his debut against Burton after a return to his boyhood club this week, will be looking to open his account this Saturday against his former side. It will be his first appearance at the Memorial Stadium since his controversial move from The Gas to rivals, Bristol City.
It’s not just Taylor facing his former side as Rovers midfielder Liam Sercombe will line up against the U’s again. Sercombe was an integral part of the squad that achieved promotion back to League One. In attack, Tyler Smith has scored three in dour games, while Jonson Clarke-Harris has netted two in four, and they will be looking to exploit frailties in defence against a U’s side that conceded four on Tuesday.
This fixture is always a feisty affair, but one that Rovers have the advantage in. The Gas have lost just twice against the U’s in eleven matches, winning seven, but the two Oxford victories did come at the Memorial Stadium with both matches ending 1-0.
Tariqe Fosu could return for the U’s, but its likely Anthony Forde and start after his goal on Tuesday. We could see Shandon Baptiste on the bench, but there will be no place for Mark Sykes who has been listed for loan by Karl Robinson.
Predicted line up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, Rob Dickie, Chris Cadden, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Anthony Forde, Ben Woodburn, James Henry, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Oxford United
