Oxford United host Middlesbrough in a huge Championship clash affecting both ends of the table.
Victory could lift Oxford Utd as high as 19th in the table, whilst Middlesbrough can stay second with a win.
Team News
Oxford Utd have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 defeat at West Brom before the international break.
Brodie Spencer (foot), Jack Currie (knock) and Matt Phillips (thigh) are sidelined.
Middlesbrough will welcome Alfie Jones back into contention after he was suspended for their 2-1 home win over Birmingham City.
Matt Targett limped out of that match with a foot injury but has made a full recovery and will be available for selection, but Dael Fry faces a late fitness check after he picked up a calf injury in the same game.
Seny Dieng (Achilles) is available but George Edmundson (hip), Abdoulaye Kante (hernia/groin) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Oxford Utd host Middlesbrough at Kassam Stadium on Saturday 22 November in a 3pm GMT kick-off, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Oxford Utd are winless in their last ten league meetings against Middlesbrough (D2, L8).
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last five visits to Oxford Utd (W4, D1).
- Just two of Boro’s eight goals scored against Oxford Utd last season came from players who are still at the club – Tommy Conway and Neto Borges.
- Oxford Utd have won just one of seven home games this season (W1, D3, L3).
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last six away matches this season (W1, D3, L2).
Prediction
With just one home win and no winning runs put together so far this season in the Championship, Oxford Utd certainly need to put some consistency together because they’re in a relegation fight and just two clean sheets is a huge concern defensively.
Boro meanwhile could of stumbled against Birmingham amidst the chaos of Rob Edwards’ departure to Wolves, yet they knuckled down and clinically snatched a result through goals from two local lads which certainly lifted the club and fans alike amidst some resilient second-half defending.
As much as Oxford Utd might try to take the fight to Boro, I just can’t see them getting a result because Boro will be eager to lay a marker for incoming manager – Kim Hellberg here amidst their recent away woes.
Prediction: Oxford Utd 1-2 Middlesbrough
Result: Oxford Utd 1-1 Middlesbrough
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