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

Oxford United will hope to give their season a boost on Sunday afternoon when they face Woking in the FA Cup first round.

At a time when the visitors occupy 17th position in the League One table, their hosts are in fifth place in the National League.

Match preview

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Oxford United go into every season hoping to launch a promotion bid from League One, but Karl Robinson's side are realistically already out of contention to achieve that goal.

Just five wins have been recorded from their 16 fixtures in the third tier, leaving the club eight points adrift of the top six.

On a more positive note, the U's have recently put together a three-match unbeaten streak, collecting five points from games with Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town.

That run represents just the second time this campaign that they have put together such a period, but you have to go all the way back to August 6 for Oxford's last clean sheet in the league.

Oxford must now look to avoid an upset in the FA Cup, although there will be a perception that Woking should not be classed as clear underdogs.

The Cardinals have suffered just one defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions, that setback coming by a 3-2 scoreline at home to leaders Notts County.

Since then, four wins have been posted from five outings, including a 2-1 triumph over Southend United in the fourth qualifying round of this tournament.

Darren Sarll's side have collected 10 points from a possible 12 in the National League since October 22, moving the club into fifth spot in the standings.

Woking's last six goals have been scored after half time, suggesting that Oxford will have to match their hosts for fitness if they want to give themselves the best chance of earning a spot in the second round.

Team News

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Jahmari Clarke will line up down the middle of the Woking attack if Reading give the non-league side permission to use the young forward.

Bryant Bilongo, a Middlesbrough loanee, will also hope to feature in the squad, but Sarll will not want to tinker with the team which beat Yeovil Town earlier this week.

After scoring his first professional goal in midweek, Gatlin O'Donkor could be handed a start in the Oxford attack.

James Henry may be handed an outing in a creative role, potentially taking the spot of Djavan Anderson on the right flank.

The remainder of the side could stay the same, although the likes of Tyler Goodrham and Gorrin will be hoping for rare chances in the starting lineup.

Woking possible starting lineup:

Ross; Cuthbert, Casey, McNerney, Moss, Ince, Anderson, Kellermann, Amond, Korboa, Clarke

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Seddon, Moore, Findlay, Brown; Bate, Brannagan, McGuane; Henry, Donkor, Joseph

We say: Woking 0-2 Oxford United

Given their respective form, we expect this contest to be far more competitive than many may anticipate. Nevertheless, there is little doubting that the superior quality is in the ranks of the visitors, who we feel will battle their way to a hard-fought victory.

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