Oxford United will be looking for a win before they go into the international break but face a difficult test away at Watford.
The U’s saw their unbeaten home record come to an end last weekend against Swansea but bounced back with a narrow victory over Hull at Grenoble Road.
Oxford United Travel to Watford
Team News, Form and Prediction
Despite that win, which was a first in eight, performances have started to dwindle in recent games so Des Buckingham will be hoping his side can pick up points while putting in a promising display.
Watford lost in south Wales with a narrow defeat against Swansea on Tuesday night but won 6-2 at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend. Despite sitting sixth in the table, it’s been a hit-and-miss campaign for Tom Cleverly’s side, with seven wins and six defeats. Their only draw came at home against Coventry.
Sticking with home form and the Hornets have one of the best in the division, with that one draw and five victories from six at Vicarage Road this season. As for away form, Oxford are still without a win on their travels, drawing twice and losing the other four.
Ben Nelson has joined the ever-growing injury list for the U’s, who remain without the likes of Cameron Brannagan, Joe Bennett and several wingers, including Siriki Dembele, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta.
Watford are without Tom Dele-Bashiru, Jeremy Ngakia and experienced defender, Angelo Ogbonna.
Mark Harris remains Oxford’s top scorer with four but has failed to find the net in his last ten games.
Edo Kayembe, Tom Ince and Vakoun Bayo all have five goals each, with the latter netting four in that recent win at Hillsborough.
These sides last met in the League Cup back in 2020. The game ended 1-1 but the Hornets won on penalties at Grenoble Road. The last league meeting came back in 1999, with a goalless draw at the Manor. However, Watford are unbeaten in their last six encounters against the U’s, winning five, and have lost just once in 12.
Predicted line-up: Jamie Cumming, Greg Leigh, Ciaron Brown, Sam Long, Elliott Moore, Peter Kioso, Josh McEachran, Idris El Mizouni, Ruben Rodrigues, Tyler Goodrham, Dane Scarlett.
Prediction: Watford 1-0 Oxford United