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Oxford United take on Stoke City on matchday five of the EFL Championship on Saturday. Both teams have won two of their opening four fixtures.
Des Buckingham's Oxford are coming off a 3-1 home win over 10-man Preston North End in their previous outing before the international break. Emil Riis Jakobsen opened the scoring for Preston inside three minutes, but things quickly went south for the visitors.
Mark Harris hauled Oxford back on level terms in the 20th minute before Tyler Goodrham put them into the lead eight minutes after the break. Liam Lindsay saw red for Preston 20 minutes from time, and Oxford confirmed the three points a minute later through Greg Leigh as the U's improved to ninth in the standings.
Meanwhile, Steven Schumacher's Stoke are fresh off a 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle in their last game. Million Manhoef scored the only goal of the game seven minutes from time to send the Potters to 11th in the points table, on six points, behind Oxford on goal difference.
On that note, here's a look at the head-to-head and key stats, match prediction, and betting tips for the Oxford-Stoke Championship clash at the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford United vs Stoke City head-to-head and key stats
- In 19 meetings across competitions, Oxford lead Stoke 8-5. Their last meeting - in the League 2 in February 2001 - ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Oxford.
- In their last games in the fixture, the U's have won twice and lost once.
- The U's are unbeaten in five home games across competitions since last season, winning the last four.
- Stoke have lost just once in their last five outings on the road, winning four, including the last two.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Oxford: W-L-L-L-W; Stoke: W-W-L-L-W
Oxford United vs Stoke City prediction
Both sides haven't had the best of starts to their league campaigns. That's especially the case with Oxford, losing three on the trot before beating Preston in their first Championship campaign in 25 years.
Meanwhile, Stoke have also had a quiet start to their league season but are riding a two-game winning streak in the competition. However, the Potters are winless in three games across competitions against Oxford, losing one.
Considering both teams' recent form, expect a low-scoring stalemate to ensue.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Stoke City
Oxford United vs Stoke City betting tips
Tip-1: Draw
Tip-2: Oxford to keep a clean sheet: No (The U's haven't had a clean sheet in four games.)
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals: Yes (Their last five head-to-head meetings have had at least two goals.)
