Oxford Utd play host to Preston for the first time since the year 2000 and we're bringing you our predictions for Saturday's Championship clash.
Both teams have picked up three points from a possible nine so far this season and the hosts head into this weekend's encounter as the bookmaker's slight favourite.
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Oxford Utd vs Preston prediction: A low-scoring affair?
Key stats
- Under 2.5 goals have been produced in three of Preston's last five matches.
- Oxford Utd have kept clean sheets in each of their two home games in league and cup this season.
- Mark Harris top scores for Oxford Utd this season with three goals in two starts.
Correct score prediction: Oxford Utd 2-0 Preston
Each of Oxford's two wins in all competitions this season have arrived in their only two home games and both ended with final scorelines of 2-0.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookmakers backing The U's
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Oxford United are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 40.8%, but we are expecting a tight and tense 90 minutes between the two clubs.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Preston in front
The only two previous meetings between Oxford Utd and Preston arrived during the 1999/00 League One season in which PNE claimed home and away wins.
Oxford Utd preview: Strong at home
Oxford Utd made the trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn last weekend.
The U's took the lead just before the break through top scorer Mark Harris but Blackburn equalised in first-half stoppage-time and scored the game's winning goal seven minutes from time.
Midfielder Will Goodwin has an ankle injury that should keep him out of action until late September.
Predicted Lineup: Cumming (GK), Bennett, Long, Brown, Kioso, Phillips, Vaulks, El Mizouni, Harris, Rodrigues & Goodrham
England Championship 31/08/24
W
Preston
1
Oxford Utd
3
England EFL Cup 27/08/24
L
Coventry
1
Oxford Utd
0
England Championship 24/08/24
L
Blackburn
2
Oxford Utd
1
England Championship 16/08/24
L
Coventry
3
Oxford Utd
2
England EFL Cup 13/08/24
W
Peterborough
0
Oxford Utd
2
Preston preview: Lost last away game
Preston recovered from their defeat away at Swansea by picking up their first league win of the campaign last weekend at home to Luton.
Will Keane scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute after good work from Emil Riis who claimed the assist.
Saturday's guests look set to be without the services of midfielder Alistair McCann this weekend due to a thigh injury.
Predicted Lineup: Woodman (GK), Hughes, Lindsay, Storey, Kesler-Hayden, Potts, Whiteman, Þoroarson, Frokjær-Jensen, Keane & Riis
England Championship 31/08/24
L
Oxford Utd
3
Preston
1
England EFL Cup 27/08/24
W
Harrogate Town
0
Preston
5
England Championship 24/08/24
W
Luton
0
Preston
1
England Championship 17/08/24
L
Swansea
3
Preston
0
England EFL Cup 13/08/24
W
Sunderland
0
Preston
2
Player to watch – Mark Harris
Oxford Utd's Welsh striker Mark Harris started his career in his homeland with Cardiff City where he featured heavily during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Championship campaigns.
However, Harris was sold to Oxford Utd in 2023 and in his first season with the club, the Welsh international scored 19 goals in 55 games, helping to guide The U's to promotion into the Championship.
The Oxford Utd striker is enjoying life back in the Championship
Previously, Harris's best goal total in a single Championship season was three and the Oxford Utd man has already equalled that number in his opening two appearances this season.
