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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Oxford (A)

21 August 2018

Accrington Stanley make the journey to the Kassam Stadium this evening as they take on an Oxford United side that have yet to get off the mark in Sky Bet League One.

Tonight will see the first league meeting between the sides at a level above the fourth tier of English Football.

Stanley have won five of their last seven league games away from home, including the 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers in the Reds' first ever away game in League One.

John Coleman's men were victorious the last time Stanley visited Oxford, Scott Brown scoring two minutes from time to give the 10-man Reds a 2-1 win in February 2016.

Despite Oxford losing that most recent clash, the U's have won three of the last five home meetings in all competitions against Stanley.

The Yellows last lost their opening four games of an EFL campaign back in 2014/15 under Michael Appleton, and current boss Karl Robinson is looking to avoid four straight defeats as a manager for the first time since March 2017, when in charge of Charlton.

 

Ticket News

Any remaining tickets not purchased from the Wham Stadium ticket office will be made available to buy from the Kassam Stadium - all ticket sales on matchday will be cash only.

Supporters who wish to buy tickets on the night are advised to do so from the North Ticket Office, adjacent to the visitor turnstiles.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Adults - £24

Over 65 - £17

18-21 - £16

Under 18 - £14

Under 13 - £10

Under 7 - £6

Team News

John Coleman hopes to have Billy Kee back to full fitness after revealing the striker was struggling with a foot injury after the draw with Charlton on Saturday.

Coleman is not underestimating Oxford, who have yet to get a point in League One this season.

"That's always the difficult games at the start of the season, teams who are scrapping for their first win, they are probably the most difficult opponents to overcome,” said Coleman in his pre-match press conference.

“We have done our homework and will continue to show the players what we need to but we know it will be tough.”

Oxford look to be without the services of Ricky Holmes, Simon Eastwood and Rob Hall.

Holmes has a back problem while Eastwood is unlikely to feature after a freak injury to his little finger before the Yellows' first home game of the season against Fleetwood. Hall recently underwent a scan on his knee with the results expected later today.

“I don't think anyone is feeling sorry for themselves,” U's boss Karl Robinson told the club's official website after the hosts' start to the season. “We are all hurt but the only way out of this is by working harder, and that has to be our mantra moving forwards.

“We all know the results aren't good enough but we always knew it was going to be a difficult start, even with all of our players available, and we aren't getting judged on our strongest squad right now.

“We have to make sure we go into [the game] a bit more free in our performance levels. If we do that it turns, I know it does.”

Match Officials

Referee – Geoff Eltringham

Assistant Referee 1 – Matt Foley

Assistant Referee 2 – Mark Pottage

Fourth Official – David Rock


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