Middlesbrough look to begin a new era as they return to Championship action with a trip to the Kassam Stadium to face a struggling Oxford United outfit.
EFL Championship
Our 3 Predictions For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough:
- 1st Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Match Result – Middlesbrough – 1/1
- 2nd Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Under 3.5 Goals – 2/7
- 3rd Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 17/20
1st Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Match Result – Middlesbrough – 1/1
Oxford United have struggled across all venues this term, but their home record is of greater concern for Gary Rowett and his side. While losing only 3 of their 7 encounters at the Kassam Stadium, a solitary victory over Derby County leaves the U’s with the fifth-worst record on their own patch. And while they are winless this month to date, Oxford have only been defeated by high-flying Stoke City in their past 3 home encounters.
Middlesbrough have had to contend with managerial issues in recent weeks, but put that to one side to beat Birmingham City before the international break. Under former manager Rob Edwards, Boro won 3 of their 8 games, with only 2 sides picking up more points on the road. However, the Teessiders have just 1 win in 6 away from their home ground, which came against the bottom side, Sheffield Wednesday, last month.
But, a new-look Boro, while they may have some teething issues if their new man is in the dugout come Saturday, should have enough to beat Oxford.
2nd Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Under 3.5 Goals – 2/7
Oxford have managed 7 home goals this season, which is far from the worst tally in the Championship. In fact, top half Leicester City have netted the same number, in a clear sign some second-tier sides are struggling for goals. While scoreless in the defeat to Stoke, the U’s managed 3 goals in their 2 prior games beforehand.
Middlesbrough have been a little more prolific in their 8 away second-tier fixtures this season, scoring 10 goals. Boro have found the net in every outing, though half of their tally came in their first 2 trips to Millwall and Norwich City. Expect goals to be a little harder to come by for both sides this weekend.
3rd Prediction For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 17/20
The U’s appeared to have addressed some of their defensive concerns by keeping a first home clean sheet of the season against the Rams, their second shutout in 3 games across all venues. But they have shipped 7 times in 3 encounters this month, though they were on the scoresheet in 2 of those matches. Just 6 second-tier sides have conceded more than Oxford’s 11.
Middlesbrough had also looked good at the back, keeping their second away shutout at Hillsborough last month. But conceding 3 times at Watford was a major setback, and now 8 Championship sides have a better defensive record on the road than Boro. Therefore, both these outfits will likely find the back of the net on Saturday afternoon.
Best Odds For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough
| Bookmaker | Oxford United | Draw | Middlesbrough |
| NRGBet Sports | 13/5 | 12/5 | 1/1 |
| Bet442 Sport | 13/5 | 9/4 | 19/20 |
| 7bet Sports | 8/3 | 9/4 | 1/1 |
The table above shows the latest odds from leading football betting websites.
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:
After recording 2 wins from 3 against sides around them in the table, Oxford are now 3 games without a win. Beating Derby was the last time the Rams tasted defeat, while they followed up a narrow defeat at Wrexham by hanging on to record 3 points on the road at Sheffield Wednesday. Into November, the U’s rescued a point against high-flying Millwall in a dramatic finale.
But successive defeats have quickly ended any optimism from those recent results. Stoke City walked away from the Kassam Stadium with a convincing victory, while the U’s most recent result was a narrow defeat at West Bromwich Albion. Oxford are likely to face another side with a new gaffer next Tuesday evening as they travel to Norwich City, before hosting Ipswich Town next Friday.
Middlesbrough look set to end their search for a new manager in the coming days after hijacking Swansea City’s move for Kim Hellberg. Boro saw Rob Edwards depart Teesside last week, after enjoying an excellent start to the season, to join Wolverhampton Wanderers. He wasn’t in the dugout for their most recent encounter against Birmingham City, as they put those issues aside to record a first win in 4 games against the Blues.
Luke Ayling grabbed a 96th-minute equaliser in the East Midlands to salvage a draw against Leicester City, after the Foxes had scored deep into first-half stoppage time. That has left Boro second in the Championship, but with a host of sides hot on their heels after recent results. If Hellberg is appointed soon, he will have consecutive home games against Coventry City and Derby County to introduce himself to the Middlesbrough faithful.
Middlesbrough have an exceptional record in this fixture with 18 wins to Oxford’s 5, with 6 successive victories.
Confrontation |
Where To Watch Oxford United vs Middlesbrough:
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
- Location: Kassam Stadium, Oxford
- Date: Saturday 22nd November, 205
- TV Channel: This game is not scheduled for TV broadcast.
Probable Lineups For Oxford United vs Middlesbrough:
Predicted Oxford United Lineup:
- Lineup: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brown, Leigh, De Keersmaecker, Brannagan, Placheta, Prelec, Krastev, Lankshear
- Injured/Suspended: Currie, Spencer, Phillips
- Coach: Gary Rowett
Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup:
- Lineup: Brynn, Targett, Silvera, Ayling, Brittain, Browne, Morris, Whittaker, Hackney, McGree, Conway
- Injured/Suspended: Fry, Targett, Kanté, Lenihan, Dieng
- Coach: Adi Viveash (Interim)
