Oxford United v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, betting odds and key stats ahead of kick-off

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the big game at the Kassam Stadium...

Oxford team news

U’s boss Karl Robinson will assess Matty Taylor, who has been troubled by a hamstring niggle of late.

He came off in the 73rd minute during the first leg – and Oxford will be desperate for their leading scorer to be available for tonight’s second-leg game.

Loanee Marcus Browne, who scored in Friday’s encounter before replaced nine minutes from time, is expected to be fit, despite a niggle.

Cameron Brannagan limped off in that same match, but his exit was explained as cramp.

Should he not be available, Liam Kelly is the most likely to step into the starting XI.

Ben Woodburn didn’t catch the eye in his first appearance since October, so Mark Sykes could be handed a recall.

Predicted starting XI

Simon Eastwood, Sam Long, Rob Dickie, Elliott Moore, Josh Ruffels, Alex Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Mark Sykes, James Henry, Matty Taylor, Marcus Browne.

Pompey team news

Kenny Jackett insists Pompey have no injury worries following Friday’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

The Blues boss once again has a squad of 24 to choose from ahead of this evening’s Kassam Stadium decider (5pm kick-off).

The likelihood is there will be a little freshening up.

Captain Tom Naylor is a consideration following his shock omission, with either Cameron McGeehan or Bryn Morris to make way if that’s the case.

James Bolton is pushing to replace Ross McCrorie at right-back, while new stand-in skipper Lee Brown could be under pressure from Steve Seddon, despite impressively shackling danger man James Henry.

Another alteration may be a start for 14-goal John Marquis.

Predicted starting XI

Alex Bass, James Bolton, Christian Burgess, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Cameron McGeehan. Marcus Harness, Andy Cannon, Ronan CurtisEllis Harrison.

Match-day odds

Oxford 31/20

1-0 11/2, 2-0 10/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 25/1, 3-1 22/1, 3-2 40/1

Pompey 19/10

1-0 6/1, 2-0 12/1, 2-1 9/1, 3-0 33/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 40/1

Draw 2/1

0-0 6/1, 1-1 19/4, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 80/1

Referee

Darren England

Oxford stats

Top scorer: Matty Taylor (17)

Most assists: James Henry (10)

Most games played: Rob Dickie (47)

Pompey stats

Top scorer: John Marquis and Ronan Curtis (both 14)

Most assists: Ronan Curtis (12)

Most games played: John Marquis (47)

Form guide

Oxford

P50 W24 D16 L10

Past five games

D 1-1 Pompey (A) League One play-offs

W 3-2 Shrewsbury (A) League One

W 2-1 Southend (H) League One

W 3-0 Accrington (H) League One

W 1-0 Ipswich (A) League One

Pompey

P51 W20 D11 L11

Past five games

D 1-1 Oxford United (H) League One play-off

D 2-2 Fleetwood (H) League One

L 2-0 Peterborough (A) League One

L 2-0 Arsenal (H) FA Cup

W 3-0 Rochdale (H) League One

Other games

Tonight

Fleetwood v Wycombe (7.30pm)