PREVIEW Oxford United v Ipswich Town

A full guide to this evening's game at the Kassam Stadium

1 December 2020

Oxford United welcome Ipswich Town to the Kassam Stadium this evening in Sky Bet League 1 (7pm)

TEAM NEWS
The U's welcome Sean Clare back after suspension while Marcus McGuane is expected to be fit despite taking a knock in Saturday's game against Swindon.

Karl Robinson will make changes after that defeat with Jordan Obita one player likely to make way.

"It's a tall order for Jordan to do three games a week at the moment" Karl said "He didn't have a pre-season and hasn't played a lot of football for a while so we have to be sensible with him"

Sam Winnall is close to a return to training after a hamstring problem but Malachi Napa (knee) and Cameron Brannagan remain unavailable.

Hear from Sam Long, James Henry and Karl Robinson in iFollow where you can view the whole game live.

THE OPPOSITION
Ipswich have injury issues with James Norwood and Toto Nsiala both doubtful with hamstring injuries after Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Hull City.

Striker Aaron Drinan believes that Paul Lambert’s side are in for a difficult evening as both sides look to bounce back after Saturday:

"Every game in this league is going to be tough and they’re a good footballing side" he told the official Ipswich website. “Obviously the result didn’t go our way [on Saturday]. We’ll be looking to put that right on Tuesday.

"It’s just another tough game. Every game in this league is going to be tough and they’re a good footballing side. The main thing is we need to get a win after the last two results. It’s all we can really go there for."

The Gaffer

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The Programme

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MATCH SPONSORS
Our thanks to Wallers Estate Agents who are Match Sponsors for this game. You can find out all about them HERE

There are plenty of sponsorship and commercial opportunities available. email commercial@oufc.co.uk or call 01865 337503 or 337513 to see how the U's can help your business

TICKETS
A reminder, if needed, that the game is behind closed doors and we once again ask all fans to respect the current situation and stay away from the stadium. Stay home and watch it on iFollow.

FOLLOW IT LIVE
The game is available for just £10 to view on iFollow and free to Season Ticket Holders.

You can stream the game RIGHT HERE

COVERAGE
As well as live coverage on iFollow we have all the build up on twitter and on our official Insta page, complete with behind the scenes exclusive content, plus a full report and Gallery right here on the final whistle and reaction from all the key men in iFollow.

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Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 0 Ipswich Town 0

U's pick up a point. Full time report

1 December 2020

Oxford United drew for only the second time this season, picking up a point after a 0-0 draw with Ipswich Town at the Kassam Stadium this evening.

United created the better chances throughout but just couldn't find a way to win the game, although they will be happy with a first clean sheet and a performance high on conviction.

There were a couple of early touches for keeper Jack Stevens, preferred in goal to Simon Eastwood, with Mide Shodipo stretching the game wide on the left on his recall to the side and gradually, pushed forward by some neat touches from Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly, United started to open up the visiting defence.

A Josh Ruffels drive on 17 minutes was tamely struck, a Rob Atkinson touch from a free kick soon after rolled wide and Eliott Moore nodded a corner just wide on 21 minutes. The best chance came for James Henry after some excellent possession play from the U’s and a deep cross from Matty Taylor. Henry did well to head goalwards but keeper Cornell and the left-hand post kept the ball out of the net and left it at 0-0 at half time.

Ipswich worked hard and closed down space but their only real moment of danger in the opening 45 minutes came on 27 when Stevens was smartly off his line to take the ball from the toes of the advancing Aaron Drinan. Other than that United looked comfortable and gradually they started to create clearer chances.

An Atkinson volley on 56 was beaten away before the first really clear chance came for Shodipo, only for his goalbound effort to fly wide off the torso of a sliding defender. From the corner Henry danced through and smashed in another good shot which Cornell just about pushed away.

A McGuane drive span away for another corner via the chest of the covering Mark McGuinness before Taylor found Cornell just too quick off his line as they raced towards a ball in no-man's land.

Ipswich saw Jon Nolan lean back and send a long-range effort well off target on 75 and an Andre Dozzell corner caused Stevens a few anxious moments as it dipped alarmingly towards the goal, but The U's had fully deserved their clean sheet and the only frustration was that they couldn't find a winner to cap a very determined 90 minutes.

It almost came on 88 when McGuane was once again denied by two brave defenders throwing themselves in front of him, but Ipswich had probably deserved their point on stubborness alone. A second goalless draw in a row between the teams at the Kassam, this one not played in rain of biblical proportions.

A point, no goals against and the fans starting to join them next game. Settle for that, regroup and start again. Reunited.

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, stats by OPTA