Northampton Town and Oxford United will take on each other in Group N of the EFL Trophy. Both teams will be trying to get over their losses from the previous Saturday. The hosts lost 1-0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers and the visitors lost 1-0 to Port Vale.
Preview (Northampton Town vs. Oxford United)
Northampton finished third in League Two behind Leyton Orient and Stevenage in the 2022–23 season. They were promoted back to League One for the first time in four years. The Cobblers’ season hasn’t started off well, though. They have only managed to earn seven points from their first six league games. It placed them in 15th place with a record of two wins, one draw, and three losses. Last year, the hosts had a terrible performance in this competition. They finished last in their group and lost all three of their games.
The fact that they have been the dominant team in this match for the past several years. They have lost just once in their last five meetings with this opponent. It will give them much more confidence in their chances of earning their first points in this year’s game. Oxford, however, had a challenging season in League One last year. They finished just three points above the relegation zone in 15th position with 47 points from 46 games. The team have, however, had a far better start to the season as they enter this game in sixth place. They have 12 points after six games, behind league leaders Exeter City by just one point.
Liam Manning’s team has won four and lost three of their first seven games in all competitions this season, including a 5-1 loss to Bristol City that forced them out of the Carabao Cup in the first round. The U’s had a record of one victory and two losses in their three games during the previous competition season; but, after having a strong start to the year, they will be quietly optimistic that they can start this year’s cup runoff on the right foot.
Team News
In the defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend, Jon Brady elected to adapt to a 4-3-3 formation; it is likely that the Cobblers manager will return to their more accustomed 4-2-3-1 setup this time around. If that were the case, Louis Appere would lead the line while Jack Sowerby and Marc Leonard would play in the double pivot. Greg Leigh, a recent acquisition, had a memorable game against Port Vale last week. He scored a late equalizer and then gave up a penalty in stoppage time, which resulted in him receiving his second yellow, which prevented him from playing in this game.
Although he received a straight red and will start his first of a three-match suspension in this one, Mark Harris was also dismissed from that game. Even though the visitors are just slightly favorites in this match, they will be without a few important players while traveling. The United States may proceed to advance in this group, but we think they will have to be content with a point in this game.
Northampton Town 1 – 1 Oxford United
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