Oxford United take on Plymouth Argyle in the 24th round of matches in the EFL Championship on Sunday. Both teams are languishing in the bottom half of the standings.

Gary Rowett’s Oxford are coming off a 3-2 home win over Cardiff City in their last game. A Mark Harris first-half strike gave Oxford the lead before Ciaron Brown and Przemyslaw Placheta put them three goals to the good before the hour mark.

Ciam Ashford pulled one back eight minutes from time to reduce the deficit for Cardiff before Callum Robinson also netted in the fifth minute of stoppage time. However, the U’s held firm to take the three points. The win sees the newly promoted side move up to 20th in the standings, with 21 points from 22 games, winning five.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney‘s Plymouth are fresh off a 4-0 hiding at Coventry City on Boxing Day, with all four goals coming before the break. The loss kept the Pilgrims dead-bottom in the points table, with 18 points from 22 matches, winning four.

Here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Oxford-Plymouth Championship game at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford United vs Plymouth head-to-head stats and key numbers

• In 56 meetings across competitions, Oxford lead Plymouth 25-18, losing their last match 3-1 away in League One in February 2023.
• The U’s have won two of their last seven games in the fixture – all in League One – losing five, including the last four.
• Oxford have two wins and as many defeats in their last five home games – all in the Championship.
• Plymouth are winless in their last five road outings – all in the Championship – losing the last four.
• Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Oxford: W-L-L-L-D; Plymouth: L-D-L-L-L

Oxford United vs Plymouth prediction

Both sides have struggled this campaign, especially Plymouth, who are winless in eight Championship games, losing six. Oxford have not fared much better either, winning once in the same period while losing six times.

In terms of the head-to-head record, the U’s enjoy an advantage, but Plymouth have dominated recent meetings. The Pilgrims last clashed with Oxford in the Championship in April 1992, winning 3-1.

However, on current form, that seems like an unlikely result, especially on the road, where Rooney’s side are winless this season in 13 games across competitions, losing 11. Hence, we expect Oxford to eke out a narrow win.

Prediction: Oxford United 2-1 Plymouth

Oxford United vs Plymouth betting tips

Tip-1: Oxford to win

Tip-2: Oxford to keep a clean sheet: No (The U’s haven’t kept one in eight matches.)

Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals: Yes (The last five matches of each side have seen at least two goals.)