Oxford United will be looking to continue their recent good form when they travel to Derby on Saturday.
Matt Bloomfield’s side won against Watford last time out and have kept their Championship survival hopes alive with just one loss in their last eight games.
Read More: Latest Oxford United Team and Injury News for Trip to Derby
Oxford United Travel to Derby
Team News, Form and Predicted Line-Up
Derby lost ground on their push for a playoff spot with defeat at promotion rivals, Southampton. However, John Eustace’s side have won their last five games at Pride Park and are unbeaten in six at home.
With that, their home form has shown recent improvement with nine wins and six draws in front of their own fans. Oxford’s away form isn’t dreadful, but there is room for improvement with four wins and six draws on their travels.
Tyler Goodrham and Brian De Keersmaecker remain sidelined while Nik Prelec has picked up an ankle problem in training. Jack Currie and Aidomo Emakhu could be in contention for a return.
The Rams are without some key players, including Rhian Brewster, USMNT international Patrick Agyemang, number one goalkeeper Jacob Zetterström and defender Callum Elder. Bobby Clark and Derry Murkin also picked up hamstring problems over recent weeks although the latter could return against the U’s.
Losing Agyemang will be a blow, as the striker has scored ten goals this season. Former U’s loanee Carlton Morris has struck 12 league goals, including finding the net in the last two games. Ben Brereton Diaz has seven league goals, including four in the last seven while Rhian Brewster hit five in his last ten before picking up a knee injury last month.
Oxford won the reverse fixture at Grenoble Road and are unbeaten in the last three, including a goalless draw at Pride Park last season. In fact, the U’s haven’t lost in their last two trips to Derbyshire with Mark Harris scoring twice in a 2-1 win back in 2023.
Matt Bloomfield is unbeaten in three meetings against the Rams, drawing twice while at Wycombe before winning 1-0 at Pride Park with Luton last season.
Oxford United Predicted Line-Up
Jamie Cumming
Sam Long
Michal Helik
Ciaron Brown
Brodie Spencer
Yunus Konak
Cameron Brannagan
Stan Mills
Jamie Donley
Myles Peart-Harris
Will Lankshear
Prediction: Derby County 1-1 Oxford United
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame/News Images
