SportsMole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
With the aim of extending their undefeated streak in the newly promoted second division to four games Oxford United Welcome to the Premier League chase West Bromwich Albion to the Kassam stadium on Saturday afternoon in the championship.
The U's got a share of the spoils at home to Portsmouth before the international break, while the Baggies suffered a frustrating performance from Millwall at The Hawthorns.
Competition Preview
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Despite finishing 15 points adrift of the automatic promotion places in League One during the 2023-24 campaign, Oxford United are back in the Championship for the first time since 1999 after a play-off victory in May. Second layer.
After three consecutive defeats to Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City during August and September, the U's made it back-to-back results before the October international break, picking up points at home to Luton Town and League One champions Portsmouth. .
In a match overshadowed by an incident of racist abuse, Oxford Luis Sibley Scoring his first goal for the club since sealing his summer transfer from Derby County, the 23-year-old equalized for the visitors at Fratton Park. Mark O'MahonyThe opener of
After three drawn games in a span of two weeks, Des BuckinghamRussia's troops are currently in tenth position. Championship stagesThey are four points behind Watford in the play-offs and five points ahead of Queens Park Rangers.
He scored just 11 goals in three second division campaigns with Cardiff City between 2020 and 2023. Mark Harris The Wales international has enjoyed his time in the division after a year out of League One, scoring four goals in 10 Championship games so far this season.
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After a sensational run of six consecutive defeats to start the 2024-25 Championship season, West Bromwich Albion came back to earth after a three-game winless streak, with visitors Oxford on Saturday picking up just one point away from home . in a row. Matches before the international break.
The England under-21 star's goal in the second half Hayden Hackney Middlesbrough took maximum points at The Hawthorns on 1 October, and four days later the Baggies were unable to hold off a struggling Millwall team, who escaped the Black Country with a point after a goalless draw.
A drop in results before the two-week break saw West Brom drop from first to fourth. Championship stages Before a short trip to Oxfordshire this weekend Carlos GarberonCurrent pacemakers Sunderland and Sheffield United are two points behind.
The youth, with a collection of first team stars who will leave the club in the summer Tom Fellows Having stepped up for the Baggies providing five assists, the 21-year-old is arguably the club's best academy product. Saido Berahino A decade ago.
Unlike last season, West Brom have been relentless away from home so far in 2024-25, taking nine points from The Hawthorns' four games, meaning Corberan's troops have a solid away record in the Championship heading into this weekend's round. devices.
Oxford United Championship Form:
West Bromwich Albion Championship Form:
Group messages
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Oxford is left without the services of the playmaker Cameron Brannagan The midfielder will be out for at least two weeks recovering from a knee injury.
The U cannot resort to the talent of the left back Joseph BennettHe was out until the end of January due to a broken ankle suffered in August.
Having spent eight years at Hawthorns between 2016 and 2024, Matt Phillips He will lose the opportunity to face his former bosses due to muscle spasms.
West Broms Nell McNair, Mason Holgate AND half ajay Upon returning from his international obligations on Thursday, the latter will become a partner. Kyle Bartley In the center of the back.
The Baggies may have some attacking changes after shooting blank against Millwall. Jett Wallace, Quick John AND Carl Grant Pressurize the starter.
Possible Oxford United starting line-up:
come; Chioso, Long, Lee, Brown; Valkés, Dembélé, Rodríguez, El Missoni, Goodram; Harris
West Bromwich Albion probable starting lineup:
Palmero; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Hekem; Molumby, Mowat, Fellowes, Swift, Johnston; Fun
We say: Oxford United 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
Still unbeaten at home in the Championship, Oxford will have no fear of promotion rivals West Brom, who come into this match after a series of poor results.
We expect plenty of goals at the Kassam Stadium, with the U and the Baggies eventually settling for a share of the second division spoils.
Click here to see the data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match.
