Oxford United will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run of form to eleven games in all competitions when the U’s face Portsmouth. Pompey themselves have had a disappointing start to the season and find themselves in 16th with just four league wins.
Two Teams In Differing Form Meet As Portsmouth Host Oxford United
Oxford Look to Stretch Impressive Run
Following a 3-0 win at home to Tranmere Rovers last month, Karl Robinson’s side have gone ten games unbeaten.
During that run, the U’s recorded their biggest ever away win in the Football League following a 6-0 demolition at Lincoln City, before hitting West Ham United for four without reply in the Carabao Cup.
The wins continued, recording four successive home 3-0 wins in the league, before an impressive away victory at Rotherham United.
And, on Tuesday night, the run reached double figures as Oxford reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 1988 following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Sunderland.
During the run, Robinson’s side have scored 29 goals and conceded just six. But the form is slightly different for this weekends opponents.
Just four league wins and fifteen goals all season for Portsmouth have seen the promotion hopefuls propel down the table, raising concerns over manager Kenny Jackett.
Despite boasting quality attacking options in the likes of John Marquis, Gareth Evans, Brett Pitman, Ellis Harrison amongst others, Pompey have scored the fourth-lowest number of goals in the division, with two of those sides in the bottom four.
Team News, Previous Meetings and Predictions
Chris Cadden could return this weekend, but it’s likely Sam Long will start. Cameron Brannagan is sidelined, as are Malachi Napa, Ben Woodburn and George Thorne.
James Henry and Tariqe Fosu have both netted eight times for the U’s, with many players chipping in with crucial goals at critical times.
Portsmouth don’t have any injury concerns or suspensions as they look to extend their unbeaten home run to four games following two 1-0 victories either side of a goalless draw with Gillingham.
Oxford won the last league meeting between the two sides at the Kassam, but lost 4-1 and 3-0 on their last two visits to Fratton Park.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 Oxford United
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