Oxford United switch their attention from back-to-back home games when the U’s travel to Sunderland.

Des Buckingham’s side drew against West Brom and Derby at Grenoble Road. That’s now five successive draws in a row and while that’s five games unbeaten, it is also six games without a win after defeat at Bristol City last month.

Oxford United Travel to Sunderland

Team News, Form and Prediction

Sunderland sat top of the table after ten league games with seven wins and one draw. They were in action on Wednesday night with a trip to Luton, which ended in another victory to give themselves a three-point cushion over Burnley.

The Black Cats are also the highest-scoring side in the division with 21 but have conceded the most of any teams in the top five, with nine.

Oxford’s injury concerns continue with Siriki Dembele being forced off against Derby. He joins fellow wingers Kyle Edwards, Przemyslaw Placheta and Matt Phillips on the sidelines, although there was a welcome return for midfielder, Josh McEachran.

Sunderland also have several players absent, including Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and Ian Poveda.

Although Oxford have picked up points in their last two aways games, the search for a first victory on the road continues. That certainly won’t be easy, however, with the Black Cats winning four and drawing one of their fixtures at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are unbeaten in their last five meetings against the U’s, winning four. However, the last fixture at the Stadium of Light ended in a 1-1 draw. Oxford are without a win in Wearside in six, but have picked up three draws during that run.

Predicted line-up: Jamie Cumming, Ciaron Brown, Ben Nelson, Elliott Moore, Peter Kioso, Josh McEachran, Idris El Mizouni, Ruben Rodrigues, Tyler Goodrham, Owen Dale, Dane Scarlett.

Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Oxford United