‘New’ kick-off time for Oxford United vs. Leeds United – prediction, team news, lineups

Both looking to realise ambitions at opposite ends of the rankings, Oxford United and Leeds United will meet under the lights at the Kassam Stadium for a Good Friday Championship battle.

The U’s are edging towards second-tier safety during their first campaign back at this level, whilst the Whites are pushing towards a return to the riches of the Premier League.

Match preview

Parachuted in for the final eight games of Birmingham City’s 2023-24 campaign, Gary Rowett placed a relegation on his CV in the Second City, and 12 months on the Oxford United head coach is looking to avoid the same fate as the Championship campaign reaches its dramatic conclusion.

The U’s are back in the second tier for the first time in two decades and have no intentions of dropping out of the division after a single-year spell, as shown by some plucky performances and results in recent times, including the narrow victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

Following a goalless first half in Yorkshire, Hillsborough was stunned into silence as right-back Sam Long breached the net of Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles, with the visitors holding firm for the remaining 11 minutes of the contest to claim their first away win since New Year’s Day.

Winning two of their last three second-tier contests, Rowett’s troops have moved up to 17th spot in the Championship standings boasting 48 points from 42 matches, meaning that one more win from their remaining quartet of games is likely to be enough to retain the club’s divisional status.

Ten of Oxford’s 12 triumphs have arrived at the Kassam this term in the second tier, with the U’s picking up some notable victories at their three-stand stadium in recent times, such as the 1-0 win over Chris Wilder’s Premier League-chasing Sheffield United on April 5.

Commencing on the first day of March, Leeds United endured a run of a single win across six Championship matches, however Daniel Farke’s troops have since managed to get their top-two hopes back on track after it appeared that the promotion wheels had fallen off at Elland Road.

The Whites have recently recorded back-to-back successes against Middlesbrough and Preston North End, with the latter triumph arriving in Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon, when first-half efforts from winger Manor Solomon and right-back Jayden Bogle were sufficient for maximum points.

Looking to extend their unbeaten run in the second tier to seven matches on Good Friday at the Kassam, Leeds are currently occupying top spot of the Championship rankings, level on points with second-placed Burnley and five points ahead of Sheffield United in third with only four games left to play.

Whilst possessing the best home record in the division to date, Farke’s men have struggled relatively on the road – winning just nine of their 21 Championship outings – but Leeds are still a tough nut to crack, losing only three contests in front of their passionate away following.

With the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter departing Elland Road last summer, second-tier expert Joel Piroe has stepped up to the goalscoring plate for Leeds overall, but the flying Dutchman has failed to score during any of his last eight league appearances.

Oxford United Championship form:

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Leeds United Championship form:

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Team News

Last week’s Oxford goalscorer Long has challenged his teammates to step up in the absence of centre-back stalwart Ciaron Brown, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign owing to a knee injury.

The U’s have issues to battle against elsewhere in their squad, with both Elliott Moore (hamstring) and Max Woltman (leg) occupying spots in the medical room.

After over a year as second-choice goalkeeper at Leeds, Karl Darlow has taken Illan Meslier’s spot in between the sticks, with the 34-year-old impressing head coach Farke so far.

Friday’s visitors remain without the services of former Manchester United winger Dan James, who picked up a hamstring injury at the start of April.

Pascal Struijk continues to be sidelined because of a foot issue, meaning that Leeds are battling on with a Welsh pairing of Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon at centre-back.

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Long, Helik, Nelson, Bennett; Brannagan, Vaulks, Phillips, Rodrigues, Goodhram; Harris

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev, Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe

We say: Oxford United 1-3 Leeds United

Threatening to produce a winning run at a crucial stage of the campaign, Leeds look set to move one step closer to the Premier League with a free-scoring success at the Kassam on Good Friday.

Farke’s side could wobble in the early stages against a spirited Oxford, but we feel that the visitors will eventually get the job done on the road.

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