High flying Oxford United face a difficult task this weekend when the U’s travel to Rotherham United in League One.
The U’s are currently on a tremendous eight-game unbeaten run but came unstuck on their last away game – a 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley.
Rotherham, who sit just one point behind Oxford, have won their last two league games, with their last home result an impressive 4-0 win over Coventry City.
The hosts have lost just three league games this season, and have the third-best defence in the division.
That said, Doncaster Rovers headed into their match with Oxford with the third-best defence before conceding three goals at the Kassam Stadium last weekend.
Oxford are without two crucial players through injury in Ben Woodburn and Anthony Forde, while George Thorne and Jamie Hanson also remain sidelined.
There could be a return for Matty Taylor who missed last weeks win over Doncaster through illness, but there are doubts over Alex Rodriguez Gorrin who picked up a knock in training.
The U’s are also without Rob Dickie after the defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.
But Oxford have some in-form midfielders, with James Henry taking his goal tally to eight goals following his brace against Doncaster, while Cameron Brannagan and Tariqe Fosu have seven and five goals respectively.
Clark Robertson and Michael Ihiekwe have formed a solid centre back partnership for the Millers, with the former also finding the net on one occasion.
Ben Wiles has scored twice and added two assists from midfield, while winger Jake Hastie has already netted three from five games while on loan from Rangers.
Freddie Ladapo is the key man up front for Rotherham and has four goals from 12 outings, with three in the league.
In 27 meetings between the two sides, both teams have ten wins each and have played out seven draws.
The two sides didn’t play against each other last season as the Millers were in the Championship, but the season before, the two sides played out a 3-3 draw at the Kassam, with Rotherham winning this fixture 3-1.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, John Mousinho, Chris Cadden, Shandon Baptiste, Cameron Brannagan, James Henry, Tariqe Fosu, Mark Sykes, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Rotherham United 1-2 Oxford United
