Oxford United vs Sunderland preview: Team news, lineups, supercomputer prediction
Sunderland travel to Oxford United on Saturday for their final away day before the Championship playoffs begin.
It has been an odd month for Sunderland. While the playoffs have now been secured, the club has had nothing to play for in the final few regular-season fixtures.
This has caused Sunderland to hit a poor run of form in recent weeks as Regis Le Bris attempts to manage his squad and keep them all fit for the upcoming games.
Now, the Black Cats faces an opportunity to get back on form as they travel to a struggling Oxford United side who are fighting for survival.
Preview
Sunderland have had a difficult time since they secured their position in the playoffs. The Black Cats have lost their last three games and are without a victory since 5 April.
With now just two games to go before the playoffs begin, Sunderland are certain to finish fourth and cannot move up or down the table
In contrast, Oxford United are fighting for survival near the foot of the table and sit 19th going into the match. A win could secure their survival on Saturday and confirm their place in the Championship next season.
Form guide
Oxford United: WLWLD
Sunderland: WDLLL
Team news
Oxford will definitely be without Ciaron Brown with his season now over. Elliot Moore and Max Woltman are also sidelined and are expected to be out for the match.
Sunderland could see the return of Dennis Cirkin and Jenson Seelt for the Oxford match after recovering from their injuries. However, the match is thought to be too soon for Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle, although the duo could be back for the playoffs.
Eliezer Mayenda is expected to miss the Oxford match as well after suffering a concussion against Blackburn.
On top of this, Aji Alese and Niall Huggins remain out on the sidelines.
| Player name | Expected return |
| Dennis Cirkin | Oxford United |
| Jenson Seelt | Oxford United |
| Eliezer Mayenda | QPR |
| Dan Ballard | QPR |
| Romaine Mundle | Playoff semi-finals |
| Aji Alese | Playoff semi-finals |
| Niall Huggins | Next season |
Predicted lineups
Oxford United: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Nelson, Bennett, Placheta, Vaulks, Brannagan, Goodrham, Matos, Bradshaw
Sunderland: Patterson, Browne, Mepham, O’Nien, Anderson, Rigg, Bellingham, Roberts, Jones, Le Fee, Isidor
Where to watch?
Sunderland’s clash with Oxford United takes place on Saturday, April 26 at 15:00. There is no live TV broadcast available for the game in the UK.
Supercomputer predicts Black Cats victory between Oxford City and Sunderland
According to Opta (April 24), a Sunderland victory is the most likely outcome of the upcoming clash.
The supercomputer gives the Black Cats a 43.7 per cent chance of coming away with a victory, while Oxford United only have a 31.1 per cent chance of taking three points.
The outcome of a draw was seen as a 25.2 per cent likely outcome.