Oxford United and Charlton Athletic look to boost Play-Off chances in crunch match at the Kassam

Only a point separates Oxford United in 10th and Charlton Athletic in 9th, with a win for either side being crucial in their Play-Off chase.

Since mid February, both Oxford and Charlton’s form has stuttered. Whilst Karl Robinson’s side’s immense run over the Christmas and New Year period was always likely to be unsustainable, Lee Bowyer’s Charlton have also faltered in recent weeks, dropping out of the League One Play-Offs and falling to 9th.

The home side come into Saturday’s game having drawn three of their last four, although Tuesday’s goalless draw against league-leaders Peterborough was a more welcome stalemate. A man-of-the-match performance from Oxford goalkeeper Jack Stevens kept the Posh at bay, but Oxford’s attack was stagnant.

Top-scorer Matty Taylor is without a goal in his last eight outings, and the loss of winger James Henry to injury has impacted the Oxford frontline in their last two games. In fact, the Us have only scored three times in their last five league games.

Charlton, meanwhile, also halted their slide against Wigan on Tuesday night. The Addicks picked up a scrappy 1-0 win up north, with manager Bowyer praising his side’s tenacity and mental strength to pick up the victory.

‘Today, I thought we moved the ball well on a bad pitch. I’m really proud of the players because they could have crumbled after Saturday but they didn’t. Every single one of them fought together. We’ve got a clean sheet and the win and now we have to build on it. The players worked hard and showed that, when we do the basics right, we’re not a bad side’ – Lee Bowyer on Charlton’s victory at Wigan.

Oxford and Charlton find themselves in a sink or swim situation.

Whilst ‘pivotal’ or ‘must win’ match may be terms a little too strong to label Saturday’s tie, a loss for either team would dent their Play-Off push firstly in terms of how many points off the top six either side will be, and also damage either side’s confidence.

Should results go against them, both Oxford and Charlton could fall to as a low as 14th. The home side could move up to 8th and the away side into 7th should results go their way, however.

Oxford and Charlton find themselves in extremely similar predicaments. To be fair to the home team, they will have faced (including Saturday’s game) four of the top ten in their last five outings, but the run in doesn’t get any easier. Despite a presumed rest bite against strugglers Swindon on the 9th, the Us then face second placed Hull and sixth place Doncaster in their next three games.

Charlton’s next three games looked markedly more winnable – against Northampton, Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers – but should they head home to London on Saturday without any points, the aforementioned matches may suddenly carry a lot more pressure.

Although Bowyer may not see Saturday’s game as one of vital importance (in relativity, it should be said), the confidence knock that either side could face come 5pm on Saturday may be worse than the league table reality. Whilst a loss could mark a eight or nine (Charlton:Oxford) point gap between between either side and the Play-Offs – one that can still be made up – it doesn’t make pleasant viewing in practice.

‘There are a lot of games to play and a lot of points to play for. We’ll see where we are at the end of the season. That’s where you get judged’ – Lee Bowyer on Saturday’s game.

Robinson and Bowyer’s side have the chance to kill two birds with one stone – boost their own Play-Off hopes, and dent the other’s.

Oxford will likely be considered the favourites for Saturday’s tie. However, Charlton come into the game with a 1.82PPG away from home, and sit second in the ‘away league table’. The confidence boost granted by their win away at Wigan will undoubtedly mean Charlton fancy their chances – Oxford did well to beat Wigan themselves in late February on an eventful day at the Kassam.

Karl Robinson (who Lee Bowyer actually served under during his time at Charlton) will surely want to get one over his former employers. However, things seem to be conspiring against Oxford at the moment. With what normally seems like a cohesive, close squad split by injuries, and Charlton’s top-scorer Chuks Aneke back amongst the goals, it could be very tough for the home side on Saturday.

Arguably, it’s sink or swim for Oxford and Charlton on Saturday. A win for either side will go a long way in the Play-Off chase. A loss, however, and the top six will seem ever more elusive.

Team News:

Oxford will definitely be without Marcus McGuane and James Henry. The former has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury, and James Henry is likely to be out until Easter. Striker Sam Winnall is also likely to miss out, and Elliot Lee and Sam Long are both touch-and-go for Saturday’s game.

Ryan Innis will likely be missing due to a long term injury picked up in November for Charlton.

Return Fixture:

Charlton 2-0 Oxford, 27th October 2020.

Head to Head:

Of the 11 times that Oxford and Charlton have faced off, there have been 5 draws and three wins apiece.

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