Oxford United will be looking to build from their late win over Cambridge when promotion rivals Derby visit Grenoble Road on Friday.
The U’s scored a stoppage-time winner last time out, having lost to a stoppage-time goal in their previous league game at Northampton.
Derby won at Wigan on Boxing Day with former U’s defender Curtis Nelson netting the only goal. The Rams are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions and have lost just once from their last 12. Paul Warne’s side have nine wins from those 12 fixtures.
Josh Murphy missed the win over Cambridge with a calf injury but there could be a return for Billy Bodin. Kyle Edwards, Marcus Browne, Sam Long, Stephan Negru and Greg Leigh are all still absent.
The Rams are without Korey Smith, Conor Washington, Martyn Waghorn, Jake Rooney and Elliot Embleton.
Even with several key players out, Derby still have James Collins with 13 goals and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who has six and ten assists.
The U’s won the reverse fixture earlier this season with Mark Harris scoring a brace, but that was the last time he found the back of the net in the league. However, the Rams won both fixtures last season.
Predicted line-up: James Beadle, Joe Bennett, Ciaron Brown, Elliott Moore, Fin Stevens, Marcus McGuane, Cameron Brannagan, Tyler Goodrham, Ruben Rodrigues, Stanley Mills, Mark Harris.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Derby County
