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Oxford United
League One | Gameweek 36
Mar 11, 2023 at 3pm UK
The Kassam Stadium
Derby logo

Oxford Utd
2 - 3
Derby

Long (14'), Joseph (90')
Brown (39')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Sibley (23', 40'), Long (61' og.)
Smith (59')

Preview: Oxford United vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Oxford United and Derby County, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Oxford United will attempt to end a nine-game winless run when they welcome Derby County to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to return to winning ways after picking up just one point from their last two matches.


Match preview

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in action with Oxford United's Marcus McGuane on January 9, 2023© Reuters

Oxford are still searching for a permanent manager after Karl Robinson was relieved of his duties following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers on February 25.

The temporary management team made up of Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown took charge of last Saturday's away meeting with Lincoln City, but the trio were unable to instigate an immediate upturn in fortunes.

Daniel Mandriou's 23rd-minute spot kick proved to be the only goal of the game, condemning Oxford to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Having picked up just one point from their previous nine games, the U's are languishing in 18th place in the League One table with three points separating them from the drop zone.

If Oxford are to preserve their League One status then they will need to improve on home turf after picking up 18 points from their 17 league games at the Kassam Stadium - only Forest Green Rovers and MK Dons have picked up fewer home points this season.

Derby County manager Paul Warne pictured on November 9, 2022© Reuters

While the U's are currently battling to remain in the third tier, Derby are aiming to finish in the top six, but their progress has slowed in recent weeks.

The Rams have won only two of their last seven games, and they have had to settle for a point from their last two fixtures despite taking the lead in both matches.

After giving up a two-goal advantage to draw with Shrewsbury Town last weekend, Derby opened the scoring in their midweek away meeting with second-placed Plymouth Argyle, however, they were unable to hold onto their narrow lead, conceding two second-half goals as they slumped to a third consecutive away defeat.

The Rams head into the weekend in the final playoff position, and they are four points clear of seventh-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand.

Derby will now turn their attention to Saturday's contest where they will attempt to complete a league double over Oxford after recording a 1-0 home victory when the two sides met on the opening day of the season.

Oxford United League One form:

Derby County League One form:


Team News

Derby County's James Collins celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 8, 2023© Reuters

Oxford are expected to be without the services of Sam Baldock, Josh Murphy and Billy Bodin, although the latter is set to return to training on Monday.

After missing the last two games through injury, Tyler Smith will be among the substitutes for Saturday's encounter.

Marcus McGuane featured as a late substitute against Lincoln, and the midfielder is in contention to start against Derby.

As for the visitors, James Chester is unavailable as he builds up his fitness after spending over four months on the sidelines.

After missing the last eight games, Max Bird has returned to full training, and he may be fit enough to take his place on the bench.

Lewis Dobbin dropped out of the lineup for Tuesday's defeat to Plymouth, but the winger could return to the starting lineup on Saturday.

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Long, Moore, Findlay, Brown; Bate, Brannagan, McGuane; Goodrham, Browne, Joseph

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Cashin, Roberts; White, Hourihane; Mendez-Laing, Knight, Dobbin; McGoldrick


SM words green background

We say: Oxford United 0-2 Derby County

Although Derby's form has tailed off in recent weeks, we think that they will prove to be too strong for an Oxford side who have lost eight of their last nine matches.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Oxford Utd vs Derby

Oxford United
36.8%
Draw
0.0%
Derby County
63.2%
19
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth462813578413797
2Derby CountyDerby462881078374192
3Bolton WanderersBolton462512986513587
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough462591289612884
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4622111379562377
6Barnsley4621131282641876
7Lincoln CityLincoln4620141265402574
8Blackpool4621101565481773
9Stevenage4619141357461171
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe461714156055565
11Leyton Orient461811175355-265
12Wigan AthleticWigan462010166356762
13Exeter CityExeter461710194661-1561
14Northampton TownNorthampton46179205766-960
15Bristol Rovers46169215268-1657
16Charlton AthleticCharlton461120156465-153
17Reading461611196870-253
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge461212223961-2248
19Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury46139243567-3248
20Burton Albion461210243967-2846
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham46128264165-2444
RFleetwood TownFleetwood461013234972-2343
RPort Vale461011254174-3341
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4679304181-4030


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