Oxford United will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s home defeat against Blackpool when they make the short trip to Northampton on Tuesday night.
Despite the loss, the U’s remain just three points off the playoffs and will need to pick up some points to rekindle their promotion push.
The Cobblers also need points, but for different reasons. Jon Brady’s side sit 22nd in the table and are one point from safety. Since back to back wins over Plymouth and Portsmouth, Northampton have now gone three games without a win.
Despite their lowly position, Northampton have the best defence from the bottom seven sides in the league, but they rank the lowest for goals scored in the entire division with just 31 from 36 games.
Defensive midfielder Ryan Watson is the club’s top scorer this season with seven goals, with six of those coming in the last eight league games. Sam Hoskins and Danny Rose have both scored five each.
For Oxford, Elliot Lee will miss out but could return for Friday’s game against Lincoln, along with James Henry. Cobblers are without Mickel Miller, who picked up an injury during Saturday’s defeat to Crewe, while Alan Sheehan and Steve Arnold are both doubts.
Oxford won the reverse fixture 4-0 back in December, but it was the U’s first win against Northampton in nine attempts. Cobblers have won five meetings with the other three ending in draws. The last two visits to Sixfields have ended goalless.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Jamie Hanson, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Mark Sykes, Mide Shodipo, Anthony Forde, Dan Agyei.
Prediction: Northampton Town 0-2 Oxford United
