Oxford United will be looking to end a run of six games without a win when they travel to fierce rivals Swindon Town on Tuesday night.
During that run, the U’s have only managed to score once but have kept three clean sheets from goalless draws.
As for Swindon, they have picked up three wins and two draws from their last 12 games, losing the other seven. John Sheridan’s side have suffered back to back loses on the road but have recorded wins in their last two home games.
Despite their recent dip in form, Oxford are still just five points off the playoffs while the Robins are one place and one point above the drop zone. Swindon have also lost the most amount of games in League One this season and have conceded the second most amount of goals.
Jordan Lyden returned from injury in Swindon’s defeat at Accrington last time out, but the U’s are without five key players who are currently sidelined.
Tyler Smith is the Robins’ top scorer with seven while Brett Pitman has added six and Hallam Hope has four.
The U’s top scorer Matty Taylor, who netted in the reverse fixture, is without a goal since Oxford won 2-0 against Bristol Rovers at the end of January and will be looking to add to his 11 goals on Tuesday.
Since the last meeting, the two sides have contrasting records. Swindon have played 19 games and picked up just 14 points – suffering 12 league defeats. As for Oxford, they have played one game fewer but picked up 34 points, losing just twice in the league. During that run, the U’s made a new club record of nine successive wins (in all competitions) and have kept ten clean sheets.
As for head to head meetings, Oxford were unbeaten before the clash in November, winning seven with the other result ending in a draw.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Anthony Forde, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Liam Kelly, Brandon Barker, Mark Sykes, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Swindon Town 0-2 Oxford United
