Oxford United v West Brom: Team news, head-to-head, betting odds, lineups, prediction
West Brom will be keen to return to winning ways in the Championship as they return from the international break with a trip to face Oxford United on Saturday 19 October.
A superb start to the season for Carlos Corberan’s side has gone stale in recent weeks, losing two and drawing one, dampening excitement after an unbeaten start to the campaign.
Preview
The Baggies will be hopeful of securing all three points on the road as they face a newly promoted side for the second time this season.
It is safe to say that last time out against Millwall was a frustrating afternoon which resulted in a goalless draw in the Midlands.
The clash away at the Kassam Stadium poses a positive opportunity for Albion to get on to the winning track against Des Buckingham’s outfit.
The U’s have failed to win since mid-September and will be looking to secure three points for themselves.
This could point towards an open game as both sides go in search of a positive result for the first time in many weeks.
Form Guide (Championship)
Oxford United: DDDLW
West Brom: DLLWW
Head-to-head (past five meetings, all comps)
West Brom 1-1 Oxford United (Albion win on penalties, 26 August, 2014)
West Brom 2-0 Oxford United (6 March 1999)
Oxford United v West Brom (29 September 1998)
Oxford United 2-1 West Brom (17 February 1998)
West Brom 1-2 Oxford United (04 October 1997)
Team News
The Baggies don’t appear to have any new injury concerns with Daryl Dike still likely to be absent but is now in training with Albions U21s side [Express & Star, 11 October].
The home side look likely to be without former Albion ace Matt Phillips who looks set to be out until the end of October.
In a huge blow to Buckingham’s side, Cameron Brannagan is also likely to be absent from the clash while ex-Aston Villa defender Joe Bennett also looks set to miss out.
Predicted lineups
Oxford United: Cumming; Kioso, Long, Brown, Leigh; Vaulks, Rodrigues, El Mizouni; Edwards, Goodrham, Harris
West Brom: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggem; Mowatt, Swift, Diangana; Grant, Fellows, Maja
Betting Odds
Oxford United: 5/2
Draw: 23/10
West Brom: 1/1
Prediction: Oxford United 0-2 West Brom
The Baggies are in need of a win as they look to bounce back to positive form and build towards fighting for top spot in the Championship once again.
The likes of Maja and Fellows need to rediscover their form from earlier in the campaign and the clash away at the Kassam could prove to be the perfect opportunity.
It has to be said that the U’s have some talented players, and plenty of ex-Albion aces, but the quality in Corberan’s side may prove to be too much for them.
In other Albion news, one star would welcome a transfer to The Hawthorns as another Championship club has run away scared.
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