Following their fixture postponement against Ipswich Town last weekend, Oxford United return to league action when they visit Southend United. The U’s are currently on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions and will be looking to continue that form against a struggling Shrimpers side.
Oxford United Back in League One Action Against Southend United
Can the Form Continue?
Like Oxford, Southend also had a free weekend after their League One fixture was postponed, but bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle following defeat at non-league Dover Athletic the previous week.
The Shrimpers have lost seven of their last eight league games, including a 7-1 home defeat against Doncaster Rovers.
Oxford’s last fixture was almost two weeks ago when they secured a 2-0 win over Hayes & Yeading United in the FA Cup first round and, as a result of the rest, Karl Robinson’s squad should feel relaxed and raring to go as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions, which is something they’ll be expected to achieve against an out of sorts Southend side.
Team News, Previous Meetings and Prediction
Oxford are still without Cameron Brannagan and Ben Woodburn through injury but welcome back full-backs Chris Cadden and Josh Ruffels. Jamie Mackie will miss the game through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card in the draw at Portsmouth.
For Southend, Stephen Humphrys is the host’s top scorer with five goals from 13 appearances, while Charlie Kelman, Brandon Goodship and Simon Cox have all scored three.
Even though Southend are on a poor run of form, they have been a bogey side for the U’s in recent years, with Oxford recording just three wins from their last 21 meetings in all competitions.
Prediction: Southend United 0-3 Oxford United
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