Preview:Ipswich Town vs. Oxford United - prediction, team news, lineups

Oxford United will be targeting a fourth consecutive league victory when they travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The Yellows are currently sixth in League One, while the Tractor Boys are four points behind the playoffs in ninth place.

Match preview

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Both clubs drew their FA Cup first round ties at home to League Two opposition last weekend, with Oxford being pegged back twice in a 2-2 stalemate against Bristol Rovers and Ipswich tying 1-1 against Oldham Athletic.

It means that the two sides have replays to prepare for on Tuesday, but for now their focus should remain on the league with playoff bids on the agenda in both Suffolk and Oxfordshire.

This is the Tractor Boys' third consecutive season in the third tier and they are yet to even come close to returning to the Championship.

A host of promising new signings arrived in the summer but Paul Cook's side started the campaign poorly, failing to win any of their opening six matches.

However, they have now won three of their last four league games and have recorded three successive victories at Portman Road in the league.

Ipswich, who progressed in the EFL Trophy in midweek by beating Colchester United on penalties, are League One's highest scorers this season with 34 goals to their name.

Oxford have lost in the playoffs in the last two campaigns, so will be hoping that it will be third time lucky come May.

The Yellows have won five of their last six league matches, rising from mid-table to the top six in the process.

The impressive run of form has seen Karl Robinson nominated for League One's manager of the month award for October.

Away from home, Oxford have won their last two matches after three successive defeats on the road.

However, the U's have only won one of their last eight games against Ipswich; both meetings between the two teams last season finished 0-0.

Team News

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Ipswich right-back Kane Vincent-Young was forced off injured at half-time against Colchester; either Wes Burns or Janoi Donacien should replace him.

Most of the team that started against Oldham in the FA Cup should return after being rested in midweek; Sone Aluko is the most likely to keep his place from the EFL Trophy clash.

Bersant Celina had been called up to represent Kosovo during the international break, but Paul Cook has confirmed that the midfielder is staying at Portman Road. Oxford's Alex Gorrin suffered an ACL injury in the FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers last weekend, which is expected to rule him out for the rest of the season. Karl Robinson should be able to welcome back James Henry and Herbie Kane after they missed the cup clash through injury.

Striker Matty Taylor has three goals and two assists in his last four league matches and also got on the scoresheet in the FA Cup last weekend.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Donacien, Nsiala, Edmundson, Penney; Morsy, Evans; Burns, Celina, Edwards; Bonne

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Long, Moore, Thorniley, Seddon; Henry, Brannagan, Kane; Sykes, Taylor, Holland

We say: Ipswich Town 2-2 Oxford United

Both teams come into this match on good runs of form, so an entertaining contest should be in store. We cannot separate them but expect there to be goals – no ground has seen more in League One this season than Portman Road.