Oxford United travel to the division’s in-form side on Friday when the U’s face Sunderland. Both sides won last time out with the U’s seeing off promotion rivals Lincoln City and Sunderland edging past Bristol Rovers.
Lee Johnson’s side are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, which includes nine wins. As a result, the Black Cats sit third in League One, just three points off the league leaders Hull City with two games in hand. In the league, Johnson’s side have lost just twice from their last 21 games.
While Sunderland are charging for the automatic promotion places, the U’s are continuing their hunt for the playoffs. Friday’s win over Lincoln moved the U’s level on points with Blackpool but have since dropped two places and two points off the top six.
Charlie Wyke is the danger man for Sunderland with 26 goals in all competitions. Former Oxford favourite Chris Maguire has seven while Grant Leadbitter has scored six. Aiden McGeady and Lynden Gooch have both scored four times each but have added 21 goals in assists between them.
Matty Taylor took his goal tally to 14 with his winning strike against the Imps. He was boosted by the return of James Henry for that win and the U’s can welcome back Elliot Lee and Sam Long for the trip to the northeast. Josh Ruffels and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin are injury doubts but the former should return.
Sunderland don’t have any fresh injury concerns but are without defenders Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan and Denver Hume. Winger Jordan Jones is also close to a return but it won’t be in time for the visit of the U’s.
Since the Black Cats’ drop into the third tier, Oxford are without a win. The first four meetings all ended 1-1, with Oxford progressing in penalties in a Carabao Cup clash, but Sunderland have recorded victories in the last two meetings, both of which came at Grenoble Road.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Sam Long, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Jamie Hanson, Cameron Brannagan, James Henry, Mark Sykes, Brandon Barker, Elliot Lee, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Oxford United
