Wimbledon vs Oxford United
EFL Trophy
Tuesday
9th January 2024
The Cherry Red Records Stadium
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the EFL Trophy fixture between Wimbledon and Oxford United.
Wimbledon vs Oxford United: Preview
Wimbledon form analysis
AFC Wimbledon have endured a spell of inconsistent form in recent League Two matches. They started with successive goalless league draws away at Salford and at home against Crawley, either side of an impressive 2-1 away win at Crawley on December 23rd courtesy of first half goals from Josh Davison and Ali Al Hamadi. However, Wimbledon then suffered a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Sutton United on Boxing Day as defensive issues resurfaced, with Omar Sowunmi netting a 62nd minute winner.
Wimbledon quickly rebounded by beating Colchester in a dramatic eight-goal thriller on December 30th thanks to a Josh Davison hat trick and goals from Joe Lewis and Ali Al Hamadi, although the 5-3 scoreline exposed lingering defensive problems. Most recently, Wimbledon began 2023 with a steady 1-1 away draw at Forest Green; after conceding early, Ali Al Hamadi grabbed them an equalizer before both teams had chances to win it late on. Overall, defensive lapses have prevented consistent form.
Oxford United form analysis
Oxford United have produced inconsistent League One form in recent games. They started with a convincing 3-0 home win over Burton Albion on December 16th courtesy of a Ruben Rodrigues brace alongside Mark McGuane’s late strike. However, defensive issues soon surfaced; on December 23rd Oxford suffered a 2-1 loss away at in-form Northampton, despite Cameron Brannagan’s temporary equalizer from the penalty spot before conceding late on to Tom Simpson’s winner.
Oxford returned to winning ways by narrowly defeating Cambridge 2-1 at home four days later thanks to second half goals from Tyler Goodrham and Ciaron Brown overturning James Cousins’ opener. However, defensive lapses persisted in a 3-2 home loss to Derby on December 30th; despite racing into a two goal lead through two more Brannagan penalties, Oxford surrendered control after the break, conceding three times. Most recently, Oxford began 2023 with a disappointing 2-1 away loss at Charlton, again surrendering an equalizer before ultimately being undone by a late Otto Smyth winner four minutes from time despite creating several chances.
