Oxford United welcome Ipswich Town to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night’s League One action.
The U’s lost to rivals Swindon Town for the first time in 19 years on Saturday, while the Tractor Boys suffered a second successive league defeat, losing at home against Hull City and then Charlton Athletic respectively.
The manner in the way Oxford lost the derby will infuriate most of the fan base. Karl Robinson’s side dominated the first half and were on top for much of the second, but two goals in the final five minutes, alongside individual errors, left a sour note.
Ipswich, meanwhile, have dominated possession and created more chances in their last two defeats, but ultimately the results haven’t been right. Despite their recent form, Paul Lambert’s side are still sixth in the table and just five points off top spot.
For Oxford, Sean Clare will be available after missing the Swindon loss through suspension. Sam Winnall is still sidelined through injury, but Robinson may be enforced to make a few changes with the visit of league leaders Hull on Saturday.
Matty Taylor took his goal tally to five for the season but it is in defence where the U’s are struggling, having conceded the third joint-highest number of goals.
For Ipswich, they’re without James Norwood and Toto Nsiala having both picked up hamstring injuries in the home defeat to Charlton.
For the visitors, Gwion Edwards has netted five times this season, midfield duo Teddy Bishop and Jon Nolan have both scored four while forward Freddie Sears has netted three.
Last season, the U’s were unbeaten against Ipswich in the two league meetings. The two sides played out a goalless draw during a soaking home game before winning 1-0 at Portman Road just before the curtailment of the season. But before those results, Ipswich had won three from the previous four, with the other ending in a 3-3 draw.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Marcus McGuane, James Henry, Mide Shodipo, Sean Clare, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Ipswich Town
