Carabao Cup quarter-finalists, Oxford United, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games this weekend when they travel to Portsmouth.
The U’s made it to the quarter-finals of the cup after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sunderland after the match finished 1-1.
As a result, Karl Robinson’s side are now ten games unbeaten in all competitions and occupy a playoff place in League One.
As for Portsmouth, their season is a stark contrast to what fans envisaged. Kenny Jackett’s side are 16th in League One with just four wins from 13 games.
For Oxford, Chris Cadden could return this weekend, but it’s likely Sam Long will start. Cameron Brannagan is sidelined, as are Malachi Napa, Ben Woodburn and George Thorne.
James Henry and Tariqe Fosu have both netted eight times for the U’s, with the club having scored well over 20 goals during their unbeaten run.
Despite the arrival of John Marquis, goals have been an issue this season for Pompey. Midfielder Ben Close has two, while forwards Marquis, Gareth Evans, Brett Pitman, Ellis Harrison, Marcus Harness and Ronan Curtis have all scored three each.
Oxford won the last league meeting between the two sides at the Kassam, but lost 4-1 and 3-0 on their last two visits to Fratton Park.
But the U’s last away game in the league was a 2-1 victory at Rotherham United, while Pompey have won two of their last three games at home 1-0.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Rob Dickie, Sam Long, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Shandon Baptiste, James Henry, Tariqe Fosu, Mark Sykes, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-2Oxford United
