Oxford United are seeking to end a three-game losing streak when they host Shrewsbury Town at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors, meanwhile, come into this clash in fine form, having won their last four league outings.
Match preview
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Oxford have failed to build on their respectable 2021-22 campaign, in which they finished eighth, and it would take a monumental effort in the second half of the season for them to reach the playoffs, given that they currently sit in 14th place and are 11 points adrift, having played three more games.
There have been some promising signs for the U's at certain points, going on a run of 10 games without defeat earlier this season, although they drew six of these, struggling to close games out after taking the lead.
Oxford would have been hoping that their 2-1 triumph against Ipswich Town towards the end of January was a turning point in their season, with that result taking them up to 10th place in the table and within touching distance of the playoffs.
However, the U's have lost their last three matches since then, tasting defeat once more in their most recent outing against Barnsley.
Goals from Bobby Thomas and Nicky Cadden earned the visitors victory despite Elliott Moore pulling a goal back for Oxford, who now face a stern test in front of their home fans this weekend against a Shrewsbury side who have one of the better away records in the division, amassing 18 points from the 13 games they have played on the road.
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Shrewsbury scored twice in second-half stoppage time to come from behind in dramatic fashion and beat Forest Green Rovers last time out, extending their winning run in League One to four games.
Jordon Garrick had seemingly started Duncan Ferguson's reign in Gloucestershire in style with his stunning strike, a second goal in four league appearances for the club.
However, substitutes Rekeil Pyke and Ryan Bowman struck to make it four wins on the spin for Steve Cotterill's men as they grasped victory from the jaws of defeat in front of their home fans. That victory leaves the Shrews in ninth place, just five points adrift of the playoff places.
It is worth noting, however, that Shrewsbury endured a four-game losing run before securing four straight wins, which highlights their struggle for consistency throughout the campaign.
Having won their previous two matches away from home, the Shrews will fancy their chances against an Oxford side who have only won one of their last four home matches across all competitions.
Team News
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Against Barnsley in midweek, Karl Robinson made three changes to the side which was beaten 2-0 at Burton Albion, as Nottingham Forest loanee Ateef Konate was handed a debut from the start, with Djavan Anderson and Yanic Wildschut also restored to the starting XI, so there could be further rotation this weekend.
Cameron Brannagan is the U's' top scorer in League One this season, with seven goals to his name, but he hobbled off after just 24 minutes against Barnsley, so he looks set to be absent for the weekend's clash against Shrewsbury, with Marcus McGuane likely to replace him in the engine room.
Stephan Negru will join Brannagan on the treatment table, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
As for the visitors, apart from Tom Bayliss starting instead of Killian Phillips against Forest Green Rovers last time out, Cotterill has named an unchanged XI for the past four matches, so it does not seem like there will be much rotation on Saturday.
Centre-back Chey Dunkley and left-back Luke Leahy have started every League One game for the Shrews this season, while goalkeeper Marko Marosi has kept seven clean sheets in 26 league outings.
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Anderson, Moore, Brown, Fleming; Bate, McGuane; Joseph, Konate, Wildschut; Bodin
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan; Moore, Winchester, Leahy, Shipley; Phillips; Street, Saydee
We say: Oxford United 1-2 Shrewsbury Town
Despite Shrewsbury not being able to get the better of Oxford in the last eight meetings between the sides, they are in much better form than their opponents on Saturday, so we think they will claim all three points.
The sides shared the spoils in the reverse fixture back in November, but we think the Shrews can extend their winning streak here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
