“Is there a corner to be turned?” – Sky Sports pundit issues Oxford United v Stoke City prediction
Former EFL midfielder and current Sky Sports EFL anchor David Prutton has given his prediction for Oxford United’s clash with Stoke City this weekend at the Kassam Stadium.
The U’s have a fantastic return to the second tier, winning both of their home games, while facing defeat on the road to Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.
Meanwhile, Stoke have won at both the bet365 Stadium and away from home once, losing their other two games.
Oxford are currently sat ninth in the Championship table, the highest out of all the teams that were promoted from League One last season, with Derby County one place behind in 10th, while Portsmouth are 18th.
The Potters, on the other hand, are 11th, with a -2 goal difference – four less than their opponents on Saturday.
This weekend’s meeting is the first between the two since February 2001. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw that day in Division Two (League One), with Saturday’s match set to be the first time since the 1997/98 campaign that this fixture has been played in the second tier of English football.
| Oxford United vs Stoke City Last Five Meetings (11vs11.com) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 20 Feb 2001 | Oxford 1-1 Stoke | League Div 2 |
| 13 Sep 2000 | Stoke 4-1 Oxford | League Div 2 |
| 3 Dec 1999 | Oxford 1-1 Stoke | League Div 2 |
| 7 Aug 1999 | Stoke 1-2 Oxford | League Div 2 |
| 14 Mar 1999 | Oxford 5-1 Stoke | League Div 1 |
David Prutton predicts tight encounter between Oxford United and Stoke City
With such little evidence to go off over where the two clubs are currently at compared to each other, this is a match that could spring a surprise.
Oxford have already started to make the Kassam Stadium a fortress, and have beaten both Norwich City and Preston North End at home so far this season.
Nevertheless, Stoke will be boosted by the potential debut of Tom Cannon, who signed on loan from Leicester City on deadline day and will likely be itching for a start.
Speaking on the Essential EFL podcast, Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek Five, Prutton has given his prediction ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Prutton said: “Obviously, it’s a very, very early table, but ninth place for Oxford at this moment in time, they are level, of course, on points with Stoke, but I think it’s been a great return and that’s not damning them with faint praise.
“I think what Des has done with the players that he’s got, Brannagan’s obviously stepped to the fore, Mark Harris is someone that’s enjoying his goal-scoring feats allied to his international experience as well. Loads and loads and loads to like about them.
