Oxford United will be looking to bounce back from their Tuesday night defeat against Lincoln when managerless Stevenage visit Grenoble Road on Friday night.
The 1-0 defeat against the Imps was a first in six for Des Buckingham’s side but the U’s remain in the playoff positions.
Stevenage have dropped away from the top six altogether following a run of just one win in ten. As a result, manager Steve Evans has left and rejoined former club, Rotherham.
Cameron Brannagan made his return from injury against the Imps, albeit from the bench, and there could also be a return for skipper Elliott Moore on Friday. Joe Bennett is another who may feature.
Dan Butler is suspended for the visitors following his red card against Burton, and they could also without former U’s loanee Jake Forster-Caskey and Luther James through injury.
Forster-Caskey isn’t the only former Oxford player in the Stevenage squad. Alex Macdonald, who won promotion with the U’s, has turned out 34 times while striker Kane Hemmings has scored six times this season.
Oxford won the reverse fixture and they have lost just once from their seven Football League meetings, winning three. However, Stevenage are unbeaten in all four visits to Grenoble Road, winning twice, with one coming in the Football League Trophy.
Predicted line-up: Jamie Cumming, Greg Leigh, Ciaron Brown, Sam Long, Fin Stevens, Josh McEachran, Cameron Brannagan, Ruben Rodrigues, Josh Murphy, Owen Dale, Mark Harris.
Prediction: Oxford United 3-1 Stevenage
