The U's Matchzone

Preview: League One – Oxford United vs Southend United

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Oxford United welcome League One strugglers Southend United to Grenoble Road this weekend looking to make it four wins in succession.

Karl Robinson, who had been heavily linked with a move to Blackpool, led his side to a 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night, which followed wins against Ipswich and AFC Wimbledon.

As a result, Oxford sit 8th in League One, just one point off the playoffs having scored nine without reply in those three games, while the Shrimpers find themselves 15 points from safety.

Southend have lost their last five, with their last points coming at the start of February with a win against Lincoln City, and that victory was their first in 18 league games.

Matty Taylor took his goal tally to 16 for the season after his brace against Stanley, while James Henry reached 13 goals after opening the scoring.

The U’s are still without skipper John Mousinho, but there could be a return for Nathan Holland and Anthony Forde.

Southend have struggled at both ends of the pitch this season. American youngster Charlie Kelman is the Shrimpers top scorer with six goals, while Stephen Humphrys has scored five. Striker Brandon Goodship and left midfielder Stephen McLaughlin have both scored four.

Only three sides have scored less in the league then Sol Campbell’s side, but they’ve conceded a staggering 82 goals in 33 games – 18 more than the second-worst defence, Bolton Wanderers.

The U’s won the reverse fixture 4-0 – their first win at Roots Hall since 2003 – Matty Taylor netted twice with James Henry and Dan Agyei also on the scoresheet, but the Shrimpers won this fixture last season. The U’s have only won three times from the last 14 meetings between the two sides, with Southend recoding the win on eight occasions.

Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, Rob Dickie, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus Browne, Dan Agyei, James Henry, Matty Taylor.

Prediction: Oxford United 4-0 Southend United

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