Overview
After three away games in a row, and one postponed fixture, Oxford are finally back at home!
Following on from the brilliant result last weekend, Aaron Ramsey's side aim to back it up with a first home win for the new manager, against a decent Burton side. For the first time in what feels like ages, the prospect of actually watching us play football on Saturday is incredibly exciting. With the introduction of direct wingers, a fast-paced, dominant play style, and a side full of confidence, it almost feels too positive. Whilst there should be no hints of complacency whatsoever, the U's will know that if they are able to replicate the performance at Leicester, there should be a very good chance of getting the desired result here.
As for the visitors, they've enjoyed a great start to the season, sitting in fifth position on eight points from five games: very impressive for a side who were one of the bookie's favourites to be relegated. The highlight of their early season, similar to another team, was a very eye-catching win at Leicester. Whilst they have undoubtedly over-performed their underlying numbers, they are currently averaging two goals a game, showing the attacking threat they pose. They are, however, yet to keep a clean sheet.
Predicted line-up
With Jamie Cumming anticipated to be back for this game, whilst it may seem harsh on Eastwood, he re-claims his spot as number one.
PK keeps his place at right back after another impressive performance.
At left back, Jack Currie comes back in for Spencer. Another one who had a brilliant game last Saturday, but I feel this game is much better suited to Currie's in-possession ability than Spencer's defensive nous.
Brown and Helik at centre back, as is hopefully the norm going forward. Look so much better defensively with those two starting.
I've left the midfield unchanged, although I do have some reservations about Jamie McDonnell in this type of possession-heavy game. If he was to be dropped for this game, I would move Brannagan to the '6' role, and bring in Tyler Goodrham as one of the advanced midfielders, for added creativity.
Mo Missanga keeps his place on the right: and in other news, the sky is blue.
Siriki Dembele equally deserves to remain as the starting left winger for now, but a goal contribution of sorts is much needed if he wants to keep his place in the long run. This is a good game to get that.
Perhaps slightly controversially, which is funny to say given all the talk pre-Leicester, Mark Harris drops out of the starting eleven for me. Despite his brilliant performance at the King Power, there is definitely a 'horses for courses' argument. Gatlin O'Donkor suits this type of game much better; with his physicality and goal-scoring form, he deserves his chance from the start.
The opposition
I suspect this game may be similar to the last home game against MK Dons.
A lot of Burton's threat comes out wide through their wing backs aiming to get crosses into the box. They will likely look to load the box for any set-piece opportunities, however they don't possess much physicality in the attacking areas, and neither of their strikers are natural 'box finishers' for when those crosses do come in, unlike the MK game, which is a positive, given how much we struggled with defending balls into the box in that game.
As for the Brewers' key players, one name might be familiar.
Ex-Oxford academy graduate Kyran Lofthouse is a very important part of their attacking set up. With an impressive four assists in five games this season, the flying wing back will be a player Oxford will need to deal with.
Elsewhere, Finn Delap, son of Rory, is a young centre half who has looked very good so far this season at the heart of Burton's back three. He has also grabbed himself a couple of goals from set-pieces, which is something to keep an eye on.
Charlie Webster is their most creative player, and a player who has garnered high-end league one interest in the last couple of windows. The attacking midfielder helped himself to six goals and three assists in the last campaign, and will look to cause the U's problems in this one.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts/excitement going into this game!
After three away games in a row, and one postponed fixture, Oxford are finally back at home!
Following on from the brilliant result last weekend, Aaron Ramsey's side aim to back it up with a first home win for the new manager, against a decent Burton side. For the first time in what feels like ages, the prospect of actually watching us play football on Saturday is incredibly exciting. With the introduction of direct wingers, a fast-paced, dominant play style, and a side full of confidence, it almost feels too positive. Whilst there should be no hints of complacency whatsoever, the U's will know that if they are able to replicate the performance at Leicester, there should be a very good chance of getting the desired result here.
As for the visitors, they've enjoyed a great start to the season, sitting in fifth position on eight points from five games: very impressive for a side who were one of the bookie's favourites to be relegated. The highlight of their early season, similar to another team, was a very eye-catching win at Leicester. Whilst they have undoubtedly over-performed their underlying numbers, they are currently averaging two goals a game, showing the attacking threat they pose. They are, however, yet to keep a clean sheet.
Predicted line-up
With Jamie Cumming anticipated to be back for this game, whilst it may seem harsh on Eastwood, he re-claims his spot as number one.
PK keeps his place at right back after another impressive performance.
At left back, Jack Currie comes back in for Spencer. Another one who had a brilliant game last Saturday, but I feel this game is much better suited to Currie's in-possession ability than Spencer's defensive nous.
Brown and Helik at centre back, as is hopefully the norm going forward. Look so much better defensively with those two starting.
I've left the midfield unchanged, although I do have some reservations about Jamie McDonnell in this type of possession-heavy game. If he was to be dropped for this game, I would move Brannagan to the '6' role, and bring in Tyler Goodrham as one of the advanced midfielders, for added creativity.
Mo Missanga keeps his place on the right: and in other news, the sky is blue.
Siriki Dembele equally deserves to remain as the starting left winger for now, but a goal contribution of sorts is much needed if he wants to keep his place in the long run. This is a good game to get that.
Perhaps slightly controversially, which is funny to say given all the talk pre-Leicester, Mark Harris drops out of the starting eleven for me. Despite his brilliant performance at the King Power, there is definitely a 'horses for courses' argument. Gatlin O'Donkor suits this type of game much better; with his physicality and goal-scoring form, he deserves his chance from the start.
The opposition
I suspect this game may be similar to the last home game against MK Dons.
A lot of Burton's threat comes out wide through their wing backs aiming to get crosses into the box. They will likely look to load the box for any set-piece opportunities, however they don't possess much physicality in the attacking areas, and neither of their strikers are natural 'box finishers' for when those crosses do come in, unlike the MK game, which is a positive, given how much we struggled with defending balls into the box in that game.
As for the Brewers' key players, one name might be familiar.
Ex-Oxford academy graduate Kyran Lofthouse is a very important part of their attacking set up. With an impressive four assists in five games this season, the flying wing back will be a player Oxford will need to deal with.
Elsewhere, Finn Delap, son of Rory, is a young centre half who has looked very good so far this season at the heart of Burton's back three. He has also grabbed himself a couple of goals from set-pieces, which is something to keep an eye on.
Charlie Webster is their most creative player, and a player who has garnered high-end league one interest in the last couple of windows. The attacking midfielder helped himself to six goals and three assists in the last campaign, and will look to cause the U's problems in this one.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts/excitement going into this game!
