Oxford United have given themselves a fighting chance of Championship survival in recent weeks but face seven more tough battles to decide their fate.
Despite defeat against Southampton last time out, the U’s picked up wins over West Brom, Preston and Blackburn before a draw at home against Charlton.
These results have kept Matt Bloomfield’s side within touching distance of safety but there is still plenty of work to do in the final seven games.
Read More: Three Talking Points as Oxford United Lose at Southampton
Oxford United: How the Closing Stages Look for Championship Survival
Hull City (H)
Prediction 1-1
Oxford United return from the international break with a tricky test against promotion-chasing Hull on Good Friday.
The Tigers picked up their customary win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out but have lost against promotion rivals Ipswich and Millwall and, more importantly for Bloomfield’s side, against struggling West Brom.
The U’s have lost their last two meetings against the Yorkshire club but did win when the sides last met at Grenoble Road. Either way, points on home soil is a must and a draw may be enough, with Portsmouth and Blackburn on the road at Norwich and Birmingham respectively, while the Baggies welcome Wrexham. Leicester have arguably the easiest fixture with a home game against Preston.
Portsmouth (A)
Prediction 0-1
Easter Monday is a corker with the current bottom six all facing off against each other, so this could be a significant matchday in terms of Championship survival.
The U’s travel to the south coast to face out-of-form Portsmouth, with John Mousinho’s side without a win in six, which includes five defeats. The most recent of those losses came at QPR with a 6-1 loss in West London.
As mentioned, Pompey travel to Norwich on Good Friday so it could be another tricky test. However, Oxford have failed to win against the south coast club in eight meetings.
Elsewhere, Leicester have the easiest fixture again (on paper) with a trip to already relegated Sheffield Wednesday, while Blackburn and West Brom meet at Ewood Park, with a winner there looking the most likely to move clear of the bottom three.
Watford (H)
Prediction 1-1
The U’s then return to Grenoble Road when Watford are the visiting side. The Hornets are out of sorts and their last three results epitomise that – losing against Stoke, winning against Wrexham and drawing with Leicester, so it will be interesting to see what team turns up.
Like against Hull, a point could be enough but results elsewhere will have enough effect, and they all face tricky tests.
West Brom and Portsmouth face the automatic promotion-chasing duo of Millwall and Middlesbrough, while Blackburn and Leicester, like Watford, face inconsistent sides in Stoke and Swansea.
Portsmouth then use their game in hand card when they finally welcome Ipswich for their rearranged fixture. Of course, it’s a tough game with Ipswich looking to secure a top-two finish.
Derby (A)
Prediction 1-1
Oxford then face two tricky fixtures against sides chasing the playoffs, with Derby up first. A trip to Pride Park awaits where the U’s are unbeaten on their last two visits.
However, the Rams are a different proposition these days with John Eustace’s side aiming for the top six and that target could still be realistic by the time this fixture rolls around.
Preston travel to West Brom while Blackburn have the difficult task of a visit from league leaders, Coventry. Portsmouth welcome Leicester in a huge six-pointer at Fratton Park.
Wrexham (H)
Prediction 1-1
The next tricky fixture is at home against Wrexham who, at the time of writing, are outside the playoffs on goal difference. However, the Hollywood story remains on course with the Welsh club looking to secure their fourth promotion in as many seasons.
Oxford lost the reverse fixture at the Racecourse Ground and will want their penultimate home game of the season to be a good one as they look to avoid the drop.
Coventry are in action against a bottom-six side for the second week running when they host Pompey, while Blackburn are also on the road at Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. West Brom and Leicester both have home games against Watford and Hull, respectively.
Sheffield Wednesday (H)
Prediction 2-0
The penultimate weekend of football gives, on paper at least, Oxford the easiest chance to gain all three points.
The U’s welcome Sheffield Wednesday and victory could go a long way to secure Championship status.
Leicester and West Brom are also at home but face tricky ties against Millwall and Ipswich, while Portsmouth travel to Stoke and Blackburn visit Southampton.
If all five clubs are still in danger by the time these fixtures roll around, Oxford could put themselves in a good position ahead of the final game of the campaign.
Millwall (A)
Prediction 2-1
While the U’s have the prettiest fixture beforehand, the final round of games is tricky reading for Bloomfield’s side.
Oxford travel to Millwall who could either find themselves still in a fight for the top two or, more likely, be preparing for their playoff campaign to begin.
One positive to take with the latter is that the U’s saw off Sheffield United and Sunderland with those in the playoff positions last season, although both fixtures did come at home. However, the U’s can take confidence having won on their last visit to the Den.
That said, West Brom can chip in their Sheffield Wednesday voucher at Hillsborough while Portsmouth welcome Birmingham. There is also a mouthwatering clash at Ewood Park as Blackburn host Leicester, which could go either way.
Will Oxford United Survive?
Now that’s the question. Based on our prediction, which of course could be completely inaccurate, Oxford would pick up ten points from the final sevens game, taking Matt Bloomfield’s side to 49 points.
Bloomfield’s Luton went down on that number last season although Hull survived on goal difference. Former U’s boss Gary Rowett took Birmingham down on 50 points the season before.
It may not be enough but with the bottom six facing each other during the run-in, some could pull away while others could get dragged back down. Either way, it’s an exciting proposition to come.
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images
