Both aiming to bounce back from midweek defeats, Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday will square off at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts have dropped to 20th spot in the Championship table in the midst of a five-match winless streak, while their visitors sit 12th after seeing a four-game unbeaten run come to an end on Tuesday.
Match preview
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Oxford United head into the weekend aiming to extend their lead over the Championship's relegation zone, having quickly slipped down the table amidst a tough run of form.
After winning promotion back to England's second tier for the first time in 25 years last time around, the Us enjoyed a positive start, earning 14 points from their first 11 games, but they have since added just four more points to that tally in eight further attempts.
Their only win in that time came at home to strugglers Hull City in early November, and Des Buckingham's side went on to suffer three straight defeats before the turn of the month, falling to Watford, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United and conceding 10 goals along the way while only scoring twice.
Then following a 1-1 draw at home to Millwall last weekend thanks to Tyler Goodrham's late leveller, the Us most recently visited Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday and left empty-handed, as Sam Field netted a second-half brace for the hosts to condemn them to a ninth league loss of the season.
Now sitting 20th and only above the bottom three by a single point, Oxford United will hope to end their slump with a return to winning ways on Saturday and begin a climb back towards mid-table.
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Their visitors also travel aiming to bounce back from a midweek setback having dropped to 12th spot last time out.
In their first full season under the management of Danny Rohl, Sheffield Wednesday have earned 26 points from their first 20 outings, winning seven of those while suffering eight defeats.
The Owls enjoyed a climb up the table with their longest unbeaten run of the season across late November and early December, following up a draw against Cardiff City with back-to-back away victories over Hull City and Derby County, before taking a point from a 1-1 draw with Preston North End last Saturday thanks to Michael Smith's equaliser.
Blackburn Rovers then visited Hillsborough on Tuesday, and Rohl's men were unable to extend their run, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat as Makhtar Gueye netted the only goal of the game after the hour mark.
Now sitting 12th, but only trailing ninth-placed Swansea City by a single point, Sheffield Wednesday can quickly improve their standing in the top half again with a win at the Kassam Stadium.
Team News
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While their injury concerns have eased slightly in recent weeks, Oxford United will remain without defender Joe Bennett, midfielder Louie Sibley and attacker Siriki Dembele on Saturday.
Dane Scarlett could displace Mark Harris, who has not found the net in the Championship since August, and lead the attack, while Ruben Rodrigues should return in an advanced midfield role.
He could join Tyler Goodrham in support of the lone front man, with Cameron Brannagan continuing to play a key role at the base of the midfield, while Kyle Edwards and Owen Dale will compete for spots on the wings.
Sheffield Wednesday will remain without defender Akin Famewo and winger Olaf Kobacki on Saturday due to ongoing injury issues.
Danny Rohl may opt to make several changes from their midweek defeat to Blackburn, with Djeidi Gassama and Michael Smith in line to return to the attack, while Ike Ugbo will also hope to earn a start after Josh Windass and Anthony Musaba supported Jamal Lowe on Wednesday.
Captain Barry Bannan and Southampton loanee Shea Charles are bound to continue their midfield partnership, while Dominic Iorfa, Di'Shon Bernard and Max Lowe should again line up in a back three in Famewo's absence.
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh; Brannagan; Edwards, Rodrigues, Goodrham, Placheta; Scarlett
Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Iorfa, Bernard, Lowe; Valentin, Charles, Bannan, Johnson; Windass, Smith, Gassama
We say: Oxford United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday have impressed on the road recently and should have enough to get back to winning ways against an Oxford United side who are lacking confidence and slipping towards the drop zone.
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Sam Varley
