Oxford have been inconsistent and relatively poor form at home but they have some good players, especially Ledson, who they turned down Ā£1M plus from PNE, and Rothwell in CM. Struggling for CF at the moment with fitness impacting Obika and Thomas and not much back up. Fair to say missing injured Rob Hall and Curtis and Brannigan, a recent signing from Liverpool has been injured since signing. Josh Payne also went to Blackburn in the window, having been on loan from Huddersfield. Eastwood is a decent goalie for this level. Pep Clotet May have been sacked but they have kept the entire management infrastructure below so there is stability of sorts, but the speculation about manager job canāt be helping. Pep also bought in a few duffers including Xemi, Mehmeti and Van Kessel (quite big money) who have struggled.
As with many matches first goal may make a big difference, such is Oxfords fragile confidence, we have seen Argyle go a goal down and win recently, but if Oxford get it, the team and crowd will be galvanised. Having said that they have lost from winning positions at home to Bury and Bristol Rovers recently so you never know even if that happens.
Expect Ryan Taylor to dominate the centre backs and Argyle to score. It should be an open game. Argyle have a poor record against Oxford in recent years with the stand out result being a narrow win there a couple of years ago 3-2 when Reuben got 2 and Lavery the other.
Iām going, based on everything, for a 3-2 Argyle win. Carey, Taylor and Bradley.