Several teams are jostling for places in the League One promotion race, including seventh-placed Oxford United and second-placed Stockport County who go head-to-head at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday.
Leaders Huddersfield have a blank midweek so there is an obvious incentive for Stockport, who need a victory to climb into first place.
Jimmy McNulty’s side are unbeaten in seven games, but they had a slightly frustrating weekend experience when held to a 1-1 draw at Notts County.
And, having failed to see off the struggling Magpies, Stockport will be bracing themselves for a demanding fixture against Oxford, who are just four points below them having played two games less.
Oxford have lost just one of their 10 League One fixtures and they gave a solid enough weekend performance in a 0-0 draw at home to fellow highflyers Bradford.
The Yellows are unbeaten in eight games since a 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield at the start of September.
Oxford United v Stockport County Tips Summary
Best Bet - Oxford draw no bet @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Oxford to win 3-2 @ 28/1
Bet Builder - Gatlin O’Donkor to score any time, Both teams to score & over 3 goals @ 23/5
Oxford United v Stockport County Prediction
Best Bet: Oxford draw no bet @ 13/8
Oxford have grown in confidence and stature since the start of the season and they can take a massive step forward by defeating Stockport in the third tier’s standout midweek fixture.
There is huge market respect for Stockport, who are an ultra-intense, attack-minded side who are performing well across a lot of metrics including the most important ones of point per game (1.92) and league wins (seven from 12).
Stockport are second in terms of xG (25.5) and first with regards to touches in the opposition box (367).
But the Hatters can be wasteful in front of goal and have dropped a lot of points when being largely dominant, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Notts County when they won the shot count 18 to seven and had a 74 percent share of possession.
Stockport tend to take risks with a high defensive line and that strategy could be risky against Oxford, who have plenty of pace in attacking areas.
Oxford’s tricky challenge was to bounce back from relegation despite the limitations of a transfer embargo which restricted them to free agent and loan acquisitions.
But they have retained a lot of players with Championship experience and possess sufficient quality to inflict Stockport’s fourth league loss of the campaign.
Alternative Bet: Oxford to win 3-2 @ 28/1
Stockport are committed to attacking football and have been involved in some exciting games, including a 5-1 victory at home to Wycombe and a 4-3 loss at home to Leicester.
They will approach the Oxford game with the sole intention of taking maximum points, but could leave themselves open against a team with arguably better offensive players.
Oxford blanked for the first time this season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Bradford.
Aaron Ramsey’s side should be afforded more space by Stockport and can be victorious in an end-to-end encounter.
Oxford United v Stockport County Bet Builder Tip
- Gatlin O’Donkor anytime goalscorer
- Both teams to score
- Over 3 goals
Pays 23/5
Oxford boss Ramsey has some tricky selection calls, including who to select at centre-forward between Welsh international Mark Harris and rising star Gatlin O’Donkor.
Both players should enter the pitch at some stage and O’Donkor could be especially effective due to his power and pace.
O’Donkor’s average xG per 90 minutes is a club high 0.98.
The 22-year-old missed a few big chances in the 0-0 draw against Bradford, but has scored three goals this season and can add to that tally in an entertaining, high-scoring game.
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Key Match Stats
- Oxford have lost just one of their last 12 home fixtures
- Five of Oxford’s last six games have featured goals for both teams
- Oxford have started the scoring in six of their last seven league matches
- Eight of Oxford’s last 11 games have featured at least three goals
- Stockport have scored in six successive matches
- Oxford have won four of their last six home fixtures against Stockport
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
