Oxford United will be looking to secure their first three points of the new season when fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland visit Grenoble Road.
The U’s lost their opening League One fixture at Lincoln City, while the Black Cats drew 1-1 at home to Bristol Rovers thanks to a late Chris Maguire strike.
Oxford began the season with a win over AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the Carabao Cup, while Sunderland were dumped out of the competition on penalties by Hull City. As a result, Phil Parkinson’s side didn’t have a match on Tuesday night, where the U’s lost to Watford in the second round.
U’s boss Karl Robinson has plenty of injury concerns. Josh Ruffels and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin have joined Jamie Hanson in the treatment room, while John Mousinho also took a knock during the Watford loss. New signing Sam Winnall and fellow striker Matty Taylor are both also doubt for the game, as is Mark Sykes.
However, the U’s received the good news that centre-back Rob Atkinson had his red card decision overturned so he is available to play. The same can’t be said for Sunderland midfielder George Dobson, who was dismissed against The Gas.
Maguire was the Black Cats’ top scorer last season with 11, while Lyndon Gooch scored ten. Will Grigg, one of Oxford’s transfer targets, only managed three.
The U’s have made eight summer signings, as have Sunderland. Among the new additions are Bailey Wright, Aiden O’Brien and Danny Graham who arrive from Bristol City, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
Since Sunderland dropped down into League One, the two sides have been evenly matched. The first four meetings all ended 1-1, as did the Carabao Cup clash last season, in which the U’s progressed on penalties. However, the Black Cats did win this fixture 1-0 last season.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Sam Long, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Sean Clare, Liam Kelly, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus McGuane, Joel Cooper, James Henry, Dan Agyei.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Sunderland
