Oxford United welcome Blackpool on Tuesday night in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final.
The U’s secured their top-six finish on the final day of the season with a 4-0 win over Burton, while Portsmouth lost at home to Accrington Stanley.
As a result, Karl Robinson’s side snuck into the top six for just the second time this season, largely down to a run of six wins from their final seven games.
However, Blackpool are on a similar run of form and ended the season in third place. Neil Critchley’s side won their final four games of the season and lost just twice from their previous 22 matches.
Read: Q&A with Blackpool fan, David Whitworth
Sam Long, who picked up two awards at the club’s end of season awards evening, is the only injury concern for the U’s, while Brandon Barker could return.
For Blackpool, Daniel Gretarsson, Bez Lubala, Matty Virtue and CJ Hamilton are all missing through injury, but Gary Madine made a welcome return last time out against Bristol Rovers. Sullay Kaikai is also a doubt.
Matty Taylor took his tally to 18 for the season against Burton, which is one more than he managed last season. Mide Shodipo reached double figures in the league with his opener against the Brewers, while Sam Winnall, Elliot Lee and James Henry have added 19 between them, with the latter also laying on nine assists.
Oxford have had their fair share of goals from defenders, too. Full-backs Josh Ruffels and Long have scored 12 between them and added a further ten assists, while centre back Elliott Moore has also scored five.
As for the Seasiders, Jerry Yates is leading the way with 22 in all competitions, while Ellis Simms and Madine have netted eight each. Winger Kaikai has netted seven and has laid on eight assists.
Read: How Oxford Reached the Playoffs
In the league, Oxford have scored 77 goals – 17 more than Blackpool. Despite having the third strongest attack in the division Oxford will come up against the league’s best defence as the Seasiders have only conceded 37 from 46 games – 19 fewer than the U’s.
Blackpool are unbeaten against the U’s this season. The two sides played out a goalless draw at Bloomfield Road in December before the Seasiders eased to a 2-0 win at Grenoble Road. However, the U’s had won four of the previous five encounters.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Jamie Hanson, Cameron Brannagan, Mark Sykes, James Henry, Brandon Barker, Elliot Lee, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Blackpool
