Oxford United travel to Portsmouth this Friday in the first leg of the League One playoff semi-finals.
Neither side has kicked a competitive ball since March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, so who will come out on top at Fratton Park?
Oxford United hit a great run of form before the league was suspended. Karl Robinson’s side won all five of their last five games, which included wins on the road at Ipswich Town and Shrewsbury Town.
The results moved the U’s up to third in League One, just two points behind Rotherham United, who secured automatic promotion along with Coventry City after the season was curtailed.
In the league, Pompey had only won two of their last five games. By suspension, they were level on points with third-placed Oxford and fifth-placed Fleetwood Town. But, all three sides were leapfrogged by Wycombe Wanders as a result of the unweighted points per game system.
For Oxford, they have a number of key players that can cause damage to Portsmouth and no injury concerns ahead of the game.
Defender Rob Dickie, who has been linked with moves to Championship and Premier League clubs already this season, has been solid at the back and made 46 appearances. Also in defence is Oxford-born left-back Josh Ruffels. He too has made over 40 appearances this season and his third goal of the campaign was the U’s late winner at Shrewsbury in the final game before the suspension, which ultimately sealed the U’s playoff spot.
Midfield is Oxford’s strong point. Ben Woodburn, who has been out since October after breaking a bone in his foot at Accrington, netted in a friendly defeat at Reading last week. January loan signings Marcus Browne and Liam Kelly will be looking to continue their strong start, with the former scoring four and providing four assists from 13 games.
Also in midfield are Alex Rodriguez Gorrin and former Liverpool youngster, Cameron Brannagan. The duo have made over 75 appearances between them this season.
On the wing is the U’s leading assist man, James Henry. The former Wolves winger, who has been the clubs’ top scorer for the past two seasons, has laid on ten goals for his team while finding the net on 14 occasions also. One player that has benefited from his assists is top scorer, Matty Taylor. The on-loan Bristol City forward has netted 17 times in 34 appearances since his arrival last summer.
Like Oxford, Portsmouth have some real quality in their side. It’s likely Sean Ragett, on loan from Norwich City, and Christian Burgess will partner once again. Both players saw their contracts extended for the playoffs.
32-year-old Gareth Evans has scored five from midfield, while central midfielder Ben Close has added six.
Pompey have plenty of attacking options among their ranks. John Marquis, signed from Doncaster Rovers last summer, will be disappointed to have scored only 13 times, while fellow striker Ellis Harrison has netted on ten occasions. Wingers Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness have also scored 22 goals between them while adding 14 assists.
The two sides have only met once in the league this season, with Matty Taylor scoring a 90th-minute equaliser at Fratton Park. The home game was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus.
Prior to that, Pompey have won their previous two meetings on the south coast, but the U’s have won three of the last six league meetings.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Rob Dickie, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus Browne, Ben Woodburn, James Henry, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford United
