Portsmouth aim to condem Oxford to further struggles, whilst boosting their own title ambitions

Struggling Oxford welcome League One leaders Portsmouth to The Kassam Stadium, with a huge 30 points seperating the two sides.

Karl Robinsons side are without a win since mid December, a 2-0 win over Blackpool. Oxford have managed just six wins all season and are firmly in the relegation battle, they currently sit on 27 points, alongside Plymouth and Bradford.

Portsmouth are flying high in the league and sit at the summit with 57 points, clear favourites for promotion this season. Kenny Jackett’s side come into this game on the back of a rare defeat. Last weekend saw Blackpool travel to Fratton Park and take all three points with Jackett sure to be looking for a reaction from his side.

Oxford will hope new loan signing Ahmed Kashi is available to make his debut, the Troyes midfielder joins the club after working with Robinson at Charlton. Jamie Mackie scored in a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood last time out and should be fit to start following a back injury. Shandon Baptiste, Rob Hall and Jon Obika continue to be out with injuries.

Portsmouth have some injury concerns this weekend, Nathan Thompson and Lee Brown are struggling with hamstring issues and Ben Close is out with an ankle injury. Oli Hawkins is also expected to miss the game with a calf problem.

Despite the form of both sides, the previous meetings between these sides offer up the opportunity of an upset. Oxford have lost just once in their last 16 home games against Portsmouth, a 1-0 defeat in 2014, winning 10 of the other meetings.

Although Oxford boss Karl Robinson has failed to get the better of his opposite number Kenny Jackett in each of their last five meetings, losing all five.

Prediction; Oxford United 1-2 Portsmouth