Oxford United will be looking to turn their league form around when they travel to high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The U’s lost against Sunderland in the FA Cup last time out but it was a much improved display from the one they showed in their last league game, which was a heavy home defeat against Norwich.
Read More: Latest Oxford United Team and Injury News for Tough Trip to Middlesbrough
Oxford United Travel to Middlesbrough
Team News, Form and Predicted Line-Up
The last time Oxford faced a team near the top came prior to that Norwich fixture when Matt Bloomfield’s side earned a credible draw on the road at Coventry.
As for Boro, they moved to the top of the Championship with a six game winning run but faced second-placed Coventry on Monday night with the Sky Blues reclaiming top spot with a 3-1 victory.
Despite a four game blip in December, Kim Hellberg has ten wins from 15 league games in charge since replacing Rob Edwards back in November. Matt Bloomfield has just one win from his seven league games as Oxford head coach.
At home, Boro have suffered just two league defeats this season, winning ten of 15. Oxford have failed to score in six of their last eight games.
Michal Helik is the latest injury concerns for the U’s with the vice captain sitting out the FA Cup game against Sunderland with a quad issue. He joins Brian De Keersmaecker, Nik Prelec and Tyler Goodrham on the sidelines but there was a return for Jamie Donley and Jack Currie last time out.
Boro are without Alex Bangura, Leo Castledine, George Edmundson, Alfie Jones, Darragh Lenihan and Seny Dieng.
Oxford earned a point against Boro in the reverse fixture but the hosts are unbeaten in their previous 11 meetings, winning nine. Arguably the most famous meeting between these two sides came in the FA Cup back in 2017 when Michael Appleton’s U’s came from two goals down before Boro scored a late winner at the Riverside.
Oxford United Predicted Line-Up
Jamie Cumming
Brodie Spencer
Christ Makosso
Sam Long
Ciaron Brown
Jack Currie
Cameron Brannagan
Stan Mills
Jamie Donley
Myles Peart-Harris
Will Lankshear
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-0 Oxford United
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame / News Images
