Sunderland vs Oxford United Predictions

• Sunderland have won the last three times the two sides have met.
• Sunderland have won seven of their eight League One home games this season.
• Oxford have lost three of their last six away league contests and could be without some COVID-affected players.

Sunderland can look after themselves against streetwise Oxford

Early FA Cup exits for Sunderland and Oxford have solved a fixture headache and will allow the promotion rivals to play a crucial League One clash at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

And it could be quite a spicy affair if last season’s corresponding fixture, a 3-1 home win, is anything to go by. Karl Robinson was sent to the stands as his U’s side surrendered an early lead following the controversial sending-off of midfielder Mark Sykes and allegations of an incident in the tunnel.

Say what you like about Sunderland that day, but they were certainly ready for the streetwise antics of Robinson’s Oxford. Lee Johnson’s men have had a free week to prepare for this and have the form advantage going into the game too that makes them appeal at a decent odds-against home price.

Robinson likely to be without some key men

The U’s have won two, drawn two and lost three of their seven away league contests – form which needs to improve if they are to genuinely challenge for promotion. A much-changed side scrapped out a 0-0 draw with leaders Rotherham last weekend and, although some of their COVID-hit players could return on Wearside, Robinson won’t be able to field his strongest side.

The Black Cats appear to have come through what they hope will be their one sticky patch of the season, taking seven points from the past three games. As well as having won the last three head-to-head meetings, Sunderland are also the team with the best home points-per-game ratio in the division.

Oxford have scored and conceded in five of their seven away days, so we are looking at a 2-1 Sunderland win as the correct score forecast which seems to suit this situation.