The aroma of hot mince pies and mulled wine is thick in the air, but it is the smell of three points that will have nostrils flaring at Kassam Stadium on Boxing Day as Oxford United host Cambridge United in League One's Oxbridge derby.

The visitors are in 13th place but are coming into this match looking to preserve their unbeaten streak, while the hosts look to boost their chances of making the playoffs.

Match preview

Oxford conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 against Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium in their last league match.

Des Buckingham's side are in fifth place on 40 points, level on points with fourth-placed Derby County and sixth-placed Stevenage, while they are nine points behind first-placed Portsmouth and four points behind second-placed Peterborough United after 22 matches.

The U's are back on home soil against Cambridge, having picked up 21 points from a possible 30 this season while losing just one League One match at the Kassam Stadium, which was against Port Vale in September.

Since the loss to Port Vale, Oxford have gone on a seven-match unbeaten streak at home, which includes four wins and three draws.

Oxford will look to keep up the recent pattern in this fixture, with the side at home often coming out on top in their last four League One meetings, which has seen the U's win two home games in a row against Cambridge.

Meanwhile, Cambridge United recorded a 2-0 victory over Exeter City in their last League One match, as goals from Elias Kachunga and Gassan Ahadme helped them extend their unbeaten streak in the league to three matches.

In all competitions, Neil Harris's side are unbeaten in their last four games, with three wins and one draw, including a 4-0 win over Fleetwood in the FA Cup.

The recent success has seen Cambridge climb to 13th place with 27 points from seven wins, six draws and nine defeats, and move nine points clear of the relegation zone.

While the visitors have fared well on home soil this season, their away trips have been a stark contrast, picking up just one win on the road alongside three draws and six losses.

Cambridge will look to put an end to a nine-match away winless streak, having last won on the road against Fleetwood back in August.

Team News

For the hosts, wingers Marcus Browne and Kyle Edwards are not expected to feature until the New Year as they are both battling hamstring injuries, while Stephan Negru is ruled out with a similar problem.

Buckingham has named the same starting XI for the last two matches and is likely to stick to the same lineup for Tuesday's fixture.

Meanwhile, Paul Digby should be back in the starting line up for the visitors after serving suspension for the red card he picked up against Blackpool.

Kachunga, Sullay Kaikai and James Brophy are all set to continue providing support in attack for central striker Ahadme.

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

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L. Bennett, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Cousins; Kaikai, Kachunga, Brophy; Ahadme

We say: Oxford United 2-1 Cambridge United

Cambridge are in a good moment but their away form is a major source of concern coming into this match.
Oxford, on the other hand, have been solid at home, and should come out on top in the battle of the U's.


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