Oxford United vs Stoke City Prediction: Both aiming far top six

Oxford United host Stoke City at The Kassam Stadium in their English Championship encounter on game week 5. Both teams will put all feet forward for a win to get into the top six. Who do you think will come out at the top after 90 minutes?

After a brilliant start to the season following a two-decade absence from the Championship, Oxford needed a bounce-back win before the international break, having lost three on the trot away from home. They beat visiting Preston North End 3-1 after going a goal down early; the visitors changed their head coach recently. It means Oxford has now won three games, scoring seven goals in three matches at the Kassam Stadium this season, with only one defeat at home since March. That will not go unnoticed from their opponents this weekend.

Cumming, Kioso, Long, Brown, Bennett, Dembele, Rodrigues, McEachran, Brannagan, Goodrham, and Harris

While Stoke City did have consecutive defeats in August, they did win two games in succession with clean sheets in all competitions-a 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle before the international break. The Potters have scored only three goals in four Championship games so far, but dominance in an emphatic 5-0 win over Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup showed the quality of their squad. They are also on the prospect of having a good cup run with Fleetwood Town next, but their main priority must be to fight for the playoff places as early as now.

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Bocat; Moran, Burger; Bae, Manhoef, Mmaee, Koumas

With Joe Bennett out for the rest of 2024, Greg Leigh comes in at left-back for Oxford. Siriki Dembele may also be introduced into the attack after Matt Phillips was injured. Kyle Edwards could be on the bench after recently re-signing for the club. Stoke will check on the fitness of Lewis Koumas after his recent work with Wales.

Oxford will be seeking a third straight home win, but we feel this should be a highly entertaining draw.