Oxford Utdvs.Luton

The hosts are 15th with 32 points after 27 matchweeks and beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Saturday, whereas Bloomfield's side drew 0-0 with Preston North End on January 18 and are second last in 23rd place with 26 points.

Match preview

Oxford only created one big chance against Blackburn, but to their credit, they limited their opponents to just one of their own and only 0.37 xG from open play.

Manager Gary Rowett has only been in charge since December 20 but has already overseen five victories in eight matches, as many as the club had earned in their previous 22 games.

The U's drew 2-2 with Luton at Kenilworth Road on October 1, earning a point despite trailing 2-0 after 37 minutes, though they may feel they could have taken all three points considering Luton were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when the scoreline was 2-2.

Rowett's side have drawn two of their past three Championship games and have lost one, drawn two and won just one of their last four in all competition, conceding five and finding the back of the net on four occasions in that period.

The hosts' form at home is strong given they have triumphed in their three most recent matches at the Kassam Stadium by a cumulative score of 6-2.

Meanwhile, Luton did exceptionally well from a defensive perspective against Preston, with the Hatters only facing two shots in the entire game, both of which were speculative strikes from distance.

Bloomfield's first game in the dugout was against Preston, and though his side occupy one of three relegation spots, only four points separate them in 23rd place from 17th-placed Millwall.

The Hatters have struggled in front of goal for some time, and the club have found the back of the net just twice in their six most recent outings.

Luton are winless in their last six games and lost the five matches prior to their draw with Preston.

The visitors' record away from home is alarming considering they have been beaten in each of their past 11 fixtures on the road.

Oxford United Championship form:

W

W

W

D

D

W

Oxford United form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

D

W

Luton Town Championship form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Luton Town form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

D

Team News

Oxford will be unable to select suspended midfielder Tyler Goodrham, while Owen Dale is not scheduled to make his comeback from injury until early February.

Will Vaulks and Cameron Brannagan started at the base of midfield against Blackburn behind attacking midfielder Ruben Rodrigues, and they may retain their places on Tuesday.

Defenders Benjamin Nelson and Elliott Moore will be absent, so perhaps Peter Kioso, Michal Helik, Ciaron Brown and Greg Leigh will be selected in defence.

Forward Max Woltman is not available, and that could mean Rowett fields Mark Harris up front as his side's focal point.

The visitors will be without defenders Alfie Doughty, Reece Burke, Teden Mengi and Tom Lockyer, leaving boss Bloomfield with few options in defence.

Luton are likely to name the same back four that started against Preston, so expect Mark McGuinness and Thomas Holmes to be flanked by full-backs Daiki Hashioka and Amari'i Bell.

Jordan Clark, Marvelous Nakamba and Tom Krauss may feature in midfield given Shandon Baptiste will be sidelined until February as a result of a calf injury.

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Kioso, Helik, Brown, Leigh; Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Rodrigues, Dembele; Harris

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Hashioka, McGuinness, Holmes, Bell; Clark, Nakamba, Krauss; Jones, Morris, Brown

We say: Oxford United 2-1 Luton Town

Bloomfield is a highly respected manager, but he is going to need time to implement his style of play, and it is difficult to see how he can do so with so many defensive injuries.

Written by

Lewis Nolan

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