Oxford United will be looking to move back into the playoffs as they travel to Shrewsbury Town for their final away game of the season.
The U’s moved up to fifth on Saturday with a win over Plymouth while Blackpool lost against the Shews. As a result, Oxford, Blackpool and Portsmouth were all level on 68 points but the U’s had played more games.
However, after Tuesday’s fixtures, the U’s dropped out of the playoffs, falling to seventh. Blackpool won at Sunderland, giving them a three-point advantage over Oxford, but both Portsmouth and Charlton conceded late goals to draw their respective games.
Read: Classic Clash: Shrewsbury Town 2-3 Oxford United (2019/20)
Shrewsbury were also in action but couldn’t stop Lincoln from picking up all three points. As a result, Steve Cotterill’s side have managed just one win from their last six, which includes four defeats.
Defender Ethan Ebanks-Lendell and midfielder Josh Vela have been ever present this season for the Shrews, turning out 91 times between them. Wingers Harry Chapman and Shaun Whalley have both scored seven goals each this season.
Shrewsbury are without goalkeeper Matija Sarki, defender Leon Clarke and midfielder Sean Goss through injury. As for Oxford, Brandon Barker remains the only injury doubt while they welcome back James Henry from suspension.
Read also: Karl Robinson on Shrewsbury
Matty Taylor netted a brace against the Pilgrims to take his tally to 17 goals for the season – the same amount as he managed last season.
Oxford won the reverse fixture just a few weeks ago, running out 4-1 winners at Grenoble Road, and were also victorious in this fixture last season, coming from two goals down to win 3-2 in what was the final fixture before the season was curtailed. In fact, Oxford are unbeaten in the last five meetings and have lost just once from the last eight.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Sam Long, Cameron Brannagan, Mark Sykes, James Henry, Dan Agyei, Elliot Lee, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Oxford United
