Preview: Oxford United vs Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

Oxford United will be looking to shake off a recent EFL Cup thrashing as they return to Championship action against Coventry City this Saturday.

The U’s were thumped by Premier League opposition on Wednesday, and they now turn their attention to a Sky Blues side that scored seven goals in their last league outing.

Match preview

Oxford United manager Gary Rowett was able to steer the club towards Championship survival last season, though his men have not made an encouraging start to this new campaign.

The U’s are yet to win a single point in the Championship, losing all three of their matches in the competition – failing to score in two of those contests.

The only bit of success enjoyed by Oxford in August came in the first round of the EFL Cup, which saw the team earn a 1-0 win over Colchester United.

Unfortunately for Rowett and his men, their journey in the cup was sensationally ended by Brighton & Hove Albion, who dominated proceedings at the Kassam Stadium and bagged a smashing 6-0 win in midweek.

Oxford will now be looking to avoid another heavy defeat, as they welcome Coventry City – a side that put seven goals past Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

Frank Lampard’s charges have enjoyed a terrific start to their Championship season, picking up seven points from their opening three games.

The Sky Blues were held to a goalless draw by Hull City on the opening weekend of the campaign, but they have since picked up a 5-3 win over Derby County and a 7-1 success over QPR – notching a staggering 12 goals in two league games.

However, Coventry’s momentum suffered a slight dip when the team were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Millwall last Tuesday night.

Despite the loss in the capital, Coventry will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Championship season against a side they have beaten in each of their last four previous meetings.

Oxford United Championship form:

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Oxford United form (all competitions):

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Coventry City Championship form:

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Coventry City form (all competitions):

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Team News

Oxford’s Brodie Spencer and Jack Currie are both doubts for Saturday’s game after picking up knocks against the Seagulls.

New summer signings Luke Harris and Nik Prelec made their club debuts on Wednesday night, and both are in contention to start this weekend.

Coventry, meanwhile, are without Ben Sheaf, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Joel Latibeaudiere for the trip, while there are also a couple of question marks over Oliver Dovin and Josh Eccles.

Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has scored two goals in two Championship games, will lead the attacking line for the Sky Blues, and Jack Rudoni is also expected to provide a lot of problems for Oxford after producing three goal involvements in his last league outing.

Oxford United possible starting lineup: Cumming; Leigh, Helik, Moore, Ter Avest; Vaulks, Brannagan; Goodrham, Lankshear, Mills; Harris

Coventry City possible starting lineup: Rushworth; Dasilva, Kitching, Thomas, Van Ewijk; Grimes, Torp; Mason-Clark, Rudoni, Kesler-Hayden; Thomas-Asante