Following Oxford United’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland last weekend, the U’s now focus their attention on their first home game of the season against Peterborough United. Despite losing 3-1 at home to Fleetwood Town, the Posh are still one of the sides looking for promotion this next summer, and Darren Ferguson’s side will be looking for an immediate bounce back.
Oxford United Host Peterborough United
Both Sides Had a Mixed Start to the Season
Oxford United will be pleased with their opening result as Karl Robinson’s side drew 1-1 at promotion hopefuls Sunderland. As for Peterborough, who will also be aiming for promotion to the Championship, their opening fixture ended in defeat at home to Fleetwood.
Robinson fielded four debutants at the Stadium of Light, with Tariqe Fosu netting Oxford’s goal. It’s likely the same four will start at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday, and it looks like new defender Elliott Moore make his first start after a few minutes as a substitute last weekend. Robinson is also hopeful of adding another striker to the squad before this weekends match.
Peterborough have had ten new faces through the door at the ABAX Stadium and six of them started the game at Fleetwood. However, it was Ivan Toney, the striker that netted 16 league goals last season for the Posh, that found the net in their opening day defeat.
Key Players
Oxford will be looking at the same players that impressed at Sunderland. Fosu and Ben Woodburn were sensational, as were Cameron Brannagan and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin in the centre of midfield. Rob Dickie was solid at the back and had a goal ruled out in controversial circumstances, while Simon Eastwood was, as usual, reliable between the sticks.
Clearly, for Peterborough, the defensive pairing of Mark Beevers and Frankie Kent are yet to gel, but the new signings will be looking to impress after conceding three on the opening day. George Boyd has returned to the club having spent six seasons with Peterborough already in his career, while Marcus Maddison will look to rekindle the form he showed last season. Toney is clearly a danger man, as is record signing Mo Eisa, despite failing to hit the heights last season at Bristol City.
It’s early days in the new season but both teams will be eager to secure that first win. The U’s will have the home advantage and the boost of a strong opening day performance, whilst the Posh, who head into the game as favourites, will be desperate to avoid back to back defeats.
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