Oxford United take on Northampton Town in a top of the table clash in League Two. Chris Wilder, who’s Northampton team are on the back of seven straight league triumphs, will return to his old club Oxford hoping to take a step closer to promotion.
After conceding late to be denied three points at home to Mansfield last week, Oxford bounced back with an impressive 4-2 away victory at Morecambe on Saturday which kept them firmly in the automatic promotion spots.
Oxford will be especially pleased that Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny has stepped into the shoes of previous right back George Baldock, who was recalled by MK Dons last month.
Oxford United’s first defeat of the 2015/16 campaign came at Sixfields, were United have had a torrid time over the years. Oxford have lost 10 out of their 14 trips to Sixfields. Their home record against the Cobblers, luckily, is far better but Oxford still have to class Northampton as a ‘bogey team’.
Michael Appleton will have plenty of selection decisions to make ahead of this huge League Two fixture, the main talking point will be the fitness of Kemar Roofe, who is United’s top scorer and star man. He picked up a groin injury at Morecambe and is a major doubt after Appleton stating that “it would be 50/50”. Jordan Bowery, Callum O’Dowda and new signing Zeli Ismail will all be hoping that they get the nod to replace Roofe.
Oxford’s head coach will be delighted to see fan’s favourite Danny Hylton return to form with a bang, scoring three goals in his last two games.
Northampton will be favourites for every game they play giving their scintillating form. Ricky Holmes, Marc Richards and John-Joe O’Toole who have been superb for Northampton all season will be desperate to make their mark on what is surely the biggest game of their season so far. If Northampton take all three points from the Kassam Stadium, it’ll put them within touching distance of promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2009.
Northampton goalkeeper Adam Smith will be keen to continue his tremendous first proper season in competitive football, having pulled off numerous outstanding saves during the season which has resulted in him only conceded 31 goals which is the fifth best in the division.
As for predictions, I will always go for an Oxford United win as a loyal fan but I accept that may be wishful thinking against a very strong Northampton team who are on the form of their lives.
I’ll go for a 1-0 Oxford win.
