Oxford United return to the Kassam Stadium for the first time since February when Portsmouth visit in the second leg of the League One play-off semi-finals.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park on Friday night, with Marcus Browne cancelling out Ronan Curtis’s early effort. As a result, it leaves the second leg all to play for.
Portsmouth were on top for the opening 25 minutes, hitting the post and scoring. However, the goal urged the U’s on and managed to keep proceedings before the break thanks to a superb solo effort from Browne. The second half was fairly even, with neither side managing to create any decent opportunity.
After the game, U’s boss Karl Robinson revealed that Matty Taylor and goalscorer Browne had both had slight issues leading up to the game, while Cameron Brannagan was substituted with, what was expected to be, cramp. However, all three should feature in the return match.
As for Pompey, goalscorer Ronan Curtis was outraged about the fact his side were not awarded even one penalty. Team-wise, Kenny Jackett has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game.
Elsewhere, the U’s latest results from coronavirus testing all came back negative. If any positive tests would have been found, then that individual(s) would have been unavailable for the game.
The U’s are unbeaten in their last four home games against Pompey, winning twice. Robinson’s side won 2-1 in the league game last season, while the club secured a 3-0 win under the management of Pep Clotet in 2017.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, Rob Dickie, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Ben Woodburn, Marcus Browne, James Henry, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-0 Portsmouth
