Who would have thought that Blackpool, amid constant behind scenes speculation, would have mustered such a dazzling start to the season. Blackpool, through a squad once more rebuilt from the scaffolding that was left from the year prior, now sit just one point outside the playoffs and, after seeing off Charlton last week, a side that would then go on to beat Portsmouth in midweek, have established themselves as unlikely playoff contenders. Blackpool head south to face a 19th placed Oxford United, a side that struggled last year too. Blackpool could move into the playoffs with victory here, but those points are often harder to get than may be initially apparent.
Injuries and Suspensions : Spearing should return from a niggle he picked up in training and Tilt is also touch and go. Jimmy Ryan and Max Clayton are recovering, but still not near the required fitness.
Oxford have been dragged down the table largely through an ever growing injury list. Hall, Obika, Baptiste, Carruthers and Dai. Tony McMahon could face his former club, as he was also part of that extensive list but is returning to fitness.
Oxford United FC:
Blackpool travel to the Kassam stadium on a good run of form, but then so do Oxford. The U's managed to hold Peterborough to a 2-2 draw last Saturday, see off Rochdale 2 weeks prior and progress to the Third Round of the FA Cup where they recently drew Championship side Brentford. Despite this, they are merely 5 points clear off the drop zone and Robinson is increasingly being put under severe pressure. The Seasiders must be wary though, that result at Peterborough in particular shows what Oxford really are capable of.
In an attempt to change their fortunes, over the summer Oxford experienced a mass overhaul as footballs revolving door became well and truly active. Ledson, Carrol and Rothwell were just three of numerous departures, all three of whom headed to Championship clubs. United would then proceed to bring in adequate replacements including a number of loans such as Garbutt and Browne. The youthful loan signings were one aspect of their dealings, but also was the wealth of experience they brought in. Jamie Mackie and Tony McMahon are experienced heads in a largely youthful squad, but injuries have left this squad under-performing and quickly falling behind.
Oxford have won just 24% of their matches in comparison to Blackpool's 45%, largely because of their leaky defence. United have conceded 1.57 goals per game and have been left open on many occasion, but have not been on the end of a total landslide yet, most games have been edged by the odd goal. Goals can certainly be expected tomorrow though, with games at the Kassam yielding 3.2 on average, and with Blackpool as clinical as ever, its what Blackpool fans will be hopeful for too.
Be warned however, Oxford have been poor in recent time, but this year they are under-performing and could just be the surprise that Blackpool will be looking to avoid.
UTP
Last Meeting:
McPhillips Preview:
Extra Reading:
https://footystats.org/clubs/england/oxford-united-fc
https://www.oufc.co.uk/
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2018/december/match-preview-for-oxford-united-vs-blackpool-on-15-dec-18/
https://twitter.com/OUFCOfficial
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_United_F.C.
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