Championship | Gameweek 23

Dec 26, 2024 at 3pm UK

The Kassam Stadium

Oxford Utd vs Cardiff

Match preview

Oxford didn't do too well against Leeds at the weekend. They had five big chances, 23 shots on goal and conceded almost three expected goals.

Gary Rowett was appointed as manager on 20 December, replacing Des Buckingham, but he watched from the stands as his team lost for the 11th time in the league this season.

Their loss was their sixth in their last seven games, a period in which they conceded 20 goals while only scoring four times.

Rowett's got a team to work with that's won just once in their last 16 games, and they've had one win, four draws and three losses in their last eight home games.

The U's have scored 21 goals and conceded 37 in the second tier, which is the division's joint second-worst attacking and third-worst defensive records.Cardiff lost 2-0 to Sheffield United on Thursday, but they should be given credit for a good performance, as they restricted the Blades to just one big chance throughout the game.

The Bluebirds are currently in last place in the league, but they're only one point behind 21st-placed Hull City, who've played an extra game in the Championship.

Riza's team have been struggling recently, having lost five and drawn three of their last eight games, with 14 goals against and six scored.

The visitors have been a bit harder to beat away from home, though, as they've held their opponents to a stalemate five times in their last six games. But they've still not won away from home in 10 attempts.

Recent Form

Oxford United Championship form:LLDLLL

Cardiff City Championship form:DLDLDL

Team News

Oxford defender Joseph Bennett won't be back from his injury until later January, but midfielder Louie Sibley might make his comeback in early next month.

Centre-backs Elliott Moore and Ciaron Brown could be joined by full-backs Peter Kioso and Greg Leigh, and the four of them might start behind a midfield three made up of Tyler Goodrham, Will Vaulks and Cameron Brannagan.

Winger Siriki Dembele is likely to be out until early January due to an ankle injury, so expect to see Przemyslaw Placheta and Owen Dale support striker Mark Harris.

Cardiff have an extensive injury list and will not be able to call upon forwards Isaak Davies, Michael Reindorf, Ollie Tanner and Chris Willock, though Willock could return in the next few days.

The visitors might field a forward line consisting of Anwar El Ghazi, Yakou Meite and Rubin Colwill.Midfielders Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull are not available for selection, and will be joined on the sidelines by defenders Perry Ng and Ryotaro Tsunoda.

Manolis Siopis and Alex Robertson could start in a double pivot ahead of centre-backs Jesper Daland, Dimitris Goutas and Calum Chambers.

Possible starting lineup

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh; Goodrham, Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Harris, Dale

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Daland, Goutas, Chambers; Rinomhota, Siopis, Robertson, Bagan; Colwill, Meite, El Ghazi