Oxford United will look to get back to winning ways and will attempt to maintain their position in the League One playoffs when they travel to Charlton Athletic on New Year's Day.

The hosts are attempting to push into the top six themselves, with a victory at The Valley having the potential to close that gap.

Match preview

It has been seven games without a victory in all competitions for Charlton, ending 2023 in miserable form which they will now look to put behind them immediately.

Starting the new year with three points would be an ideal situation for the Addicks, particularly if the club wants to start mounting pressure onto the playoff positions.

At the moment Michael Appleton's men are 14 points away from the top six, which is a gap they will need to work hard to close in a busy winter period.

Charlton have won six of their seven matches at home this season, and that type of form should inject some belief into the team to try and turn their recent run of results around.

However, they will need stronger concentration than they showcased in midweek where a 94th-minute goal ended up seeing them beaten 2-1 by Bristol Rovers.

Oxford were also hit with late goals in their most recent home outing against Derby County, where two strikes in the final 10 minutes allowed the Rams to take all three points in a 3-2 victory for the visitors.

That was not the biggest frustration from that game, though, as that came from the fact that they were originally winning the game 2-0, something that they ended up throwing away.

Despite that, the U's have been chipping away at teams throughout the campaign to build up enough points to sit in the playoff positions for the start of the New Year.

Des Buckingham's men have been offensively impressive this season, having scored 40 goals already throughout the campaign, something that should lead to them causing problems against Charlton.

However, Oxford have suffered five of their seven losses this season in away games, and that will need to be worked on if the team wants to maintain a promotion challenge.

Team News

Slobodan Tedic found the back of the net for the second time this season on Friday when coming off the bench, and that could make him a potential threat to start the game here.

That could be important considering the Addicks are without their current top goalscorer Miles Leaburn due to injury.

Cameron Brannagan should retain his place in the Oxford midfield after scoring a brace in the defeat against Derby , providing some attacking quality to the team.

Mark Harris and Ruben Rodrigues should still work together in leading the line as the strikers for the visitors, as the team attempts to fire their way back to winning ways.

Despite that, Oxford are dealing with a plethora of injuries with Marcus Browne, Kyle Edwards, Greg Leigh, Stephan Negru and Sam Long all on the sidelines at the moment.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Watson, Hector, Jones, Edun; Fraser, Dobson, Campbell; Kanu, May, Blackett-Taylor

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Brown, Bennett; McGuane, Brannagan, Mills, Rodrigues, Goodrham; Harris

We say: Charlton Athletic 0-2 Oxford United

Oxford might have failed to secure three points in their most recent outing, but they will see this as the ideal match to get back to winning ways.

The poor run of form that Charlton are currently suffering makes the visitors the favourites, and should lead to them taking all three points.


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