Oxford United play their second away game of the week when Des Buckingham’s side travel south to Portsmouth.
The U’s picked up their first away point of the season on Tuesday night with a 2-2 draw at Luton.
Oxford United Travel to Portsmouth
Team News, Form and Prediction
Portsmouth played on Wednesday so have had less time to prepare for this fixture. In addition, that fixture was a heavy and humiliating 6-1 defeat away at Stoke.
John Mousinho’s side have had a tricky start to the season. Credible draws against Leeds, Luton and Middlesbrough were followed by defeats against Sunderland, West Brom and Burnley. Pompey did draw against Sheffield United before their fixture at Stoke.
Portsmouth have only found the net once in five games at Fratton Park so far this season. On their travels, Oxford have scored in all of their league fixtures.
The U’s are without several players, including long-term absentees Cameron Brannagan and Joe Bennett, while captain Elliott Moore picked up a knee knock at Luton. Josh McEachran could be available, as could Greg Leigh who missed the trip to Kenilworth Road through illness.
Portsmouth are without key attackers Colby Bishop and Callum Lang, while Kusini Yengi is also unavailable. Former U’s winger Josh Murphy missed the first four games through injury but has been involved in the last five, completing 90 minutes twice.
Oxford are without a win in the last five meetings, but three of those ended in draws. However, the two defeats both came at Fratton Park. The U’s haven’t won on the south coast in nine attempts since a 1-0 victory in League Two in 2016.
Predicted line-up: Jamie Cumming, Greg Leigh, Ciaron Brown, Ben Nelson, Peter Kioso, Will Vaulks, Idris El Mizouni, Ruben Rodrigues, Siriki Dembele, Tyler Goodrham, Mark Harris.
Prediction: Portsmouth 0-1 Oxford United
