Oxford United travel to Portsmouth on Tuesday night fresh off the back of a 2-1 win at Wigan. It was the U’s first league win since the beginning of the month and it moves them out of the bottom four.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, are in the top four. Kenny Jackett’s side eased past Crewe on Saturday with a 4-1 scoreline. The division’s top scorers have notched 25 goals this season and have lost just once in their last seven league games.
Among their top scorers include John Marquis with ten, Marcus Harness with seven and Ronan Curtis with six. Former Oxford winger Ryan Williams is an injury doubt for the hosts.
Karl Robinson made four changes on Saturday from the side that lost during the week against Crewe, and he may be forced to do so again with a huge game against Swindon Town coming at the weekend. Sam Winnall is an out through injury and although Matty Taylor took a knock against Wigan, he should be fine to lead the line.
The two sides only met once in the league last season as a result of the season coming to an early end, and Taylor netted a 90th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park. Of course, the two sides met in the League One play-off semi-final with the two games also ending 1-1, with the U’s progressing to the final after winning on penalties.
Including those three draws, the U’s are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Pompey in all competitions but have recorded just one win. Portsmouth have two wins from the last 11 meetings.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Marcus McGuane, Anthony Forde, Mide Shodipo, James Henry, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford United
