Oxford United take on Barnsley at the Kassam Stadium in the latest round of League One fixtures on Wednesday evening.
The hosts are firmly rooted in mid table, currently sat in 14th place, while the visitors are faring much better up in sixth and will be hoping to consolidate their place in the playoffs.
Match preview
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Oxford have failed to build on their decent 2021-22 campaign, in which they finished eighth, and it would take a massive effort in the second half of the season to reach the playoffs, given that they are eight points adrift, having also played three extra games.
There have been some promising signs for the U's at certain points, going on a run of 10 games without defeat earlier this season, although they drew six of these, struggling to close games out after taking the lead.
Another issue for Karl Robinson's side has been inconsistency, best displayed by the fact they have beaten third-placed Ipswich Town and fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers, but looked very poor against teams at the other end of the table, drawing with Forest Green Rovers and losing to MK Dons.
The U's would have been hoping that their 2-1 triumph against Ipswich towards the end of January was a turning point in their season, with that result taking them up to 10th place in the table and in reach of the playoffs.
However, Oxford have now lost their last two matches without conceding a goal, the first of which coming in a 2-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, before losing by the same scoreline against Burton Albion at the weekend.
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After being relegated from the Championship last season, Barnsley are in a decent position to return at the first opportunity, given that they are inside the playoffs, two points clear of seventh-placed Peterborough with a game in hand.
Keeping it tight at the back has been paramount for the Tykes, given that they have not been prolific down the other end of the pitch, only scoring the same amount of goals as Wednesday's opponents, posing the fourth-best defensive record in the third tier.
However, Michael Duff's side have looked a bit more shaky defensively in recent weeks, conceding nine goals in their last four games in all competitions, crashing out of the FA Cup in a disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Derby County.
In truth, Barnsley are more likely to be focussed on the league, and they have shown they have what it takes to compete at the top end of the table, acquiring the joint-second highest amount of any side in the division over their last 10 games.
Last time out, the Tykes cruised home to a 3-1 victory at home against Accrington Stanley, having scored three goals inside the first 20 minutes to build up an unassailable lead.
Team News
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Given that Oxford have lost their last two games without scoring a goal, Robinson may choose to mix it up in attack, with Gatlin O'Donkor replacing Matt Taylor.
Yanic Wildschut may also be brought back in on the left of the front three, having replaced Billy Bodin in the second half during the defeat at Burton Albion, with Kyle Joseph likely to start on the opposite side.
Cameron Brannagan is the U's' top scorer in League One this season, with six goals to his name, and he is likely to be accompanied by Lewis Bate and Marcus McGuane in the engine room.
As for Barnsley, Matty Wolfe suffered what could be a season-ending injury during an in-house friendly on Saturday, so Herbie Kane, Luca Connell and Adam Phillips are set to keep their places.
Goalkeeper Jack Walton had been the subject of interest in the January transfer window, and he has now completed a move to Luton Town, so Bradley Collins will start between the sticks.
Elsewhere, there is very little reason for Duff to make any changes, with strikers James Norwood and Jack Aitchison poised to lead the line, having both scored in the last match.
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Long, Moore, Brown, Fleming; Bate, McGuane, Brannagan; Joseph, Bodin, O'Donkor
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Williams, Thomas, Andersen, Kitching, Cadden; Phillips, Connell, Kane; Norwood, Aitchison
We say: Oxford United 1-2 Barnsley
Barnsley bounced back from a three-game losing streak in emphatic style against Accrington in their last match, and this should give them the confidence to pick up their first away victory of 2023.
However, Oxford have shown that they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the better sides in the league this season, and so the visitors are unlikely to run away with it.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
