PREVIEW Oxford United v Burton Albion

A full guide to Sunday's big game at the Kassam Stadium

7 May 2021

Oxford United look for the win that could give them a Sky Bet League 1 play-off place for the second season in a row, but have in-form Burton standing in their way this Sunday

The U's need to better Portsmouth's result and at least match that of Charlton Athletic as the three sides compete for the final place in the play-offs.

TEAM NEWS
United are almost at full strength. Former Burton skipper John Mousinho and midfielder Marcus McGuane who signed a permanent deal with the U's yesterday are the only two to miss out but it's hard to see boss Karl Robinson making too many changes to the side that won at Shrewsbury in dramatic style last Saturday to set up this weekend's showdown.

See Karl, James Henry and Cameron Brannagan previewing the game in iFollow now.

THE OPPOSITION
Burton looked to be in trouble when the U’s won 5-1 at the Pirelli Stadium in January but new boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has inspired a remarkable second half of the season which has seen the Brewers become one of the most in-form sides in the league.

Safe on 57 points, the Brewers have former United frontman Kane Hemmings leading the line and top scorer with 15 goals, including one against the U’s in the first meeting

Midfielder Ryan Edwards was this week voted as Players’ Player of the Year and Fans Player of the Year but the Brewers will be without Sean Clare who has done well on loan from the U’s but is ineligible to play against his parent club.

The Gaffer

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MATCH SPONSORS
Our thanks to GHM Communications, our Match Sponsors on Sunday. Find out more about them HERE

If you are interested in showcasing your business through our Match Sponsor package or other digital opportunities, please contact our Commercial Team by emailing commercial@oufc.co.uk for more information.

SAFETY MESSAGE
We appreciate that Sunday’s game is a big one and could see the U’s reach the League 1 play-offs but all of the restrictions that have been in place this season will still apply and with the Kassam Stadium being used as a covid vaccination centre we ask you to continue to respect others.

Failure to do so could have an impact on any future decision on whether fans would be allowed back for a potential play-off game so please, help us and help your fellow fans by staying away.

COVERAGE
Season Ticket holders can watch the game on iFollow as usual and Match Passes are available HERE to see the full game with live commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport

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.

Join us on the official YouTube channel for 'Matchday Live', available to help you get in to matchday mode from 11.15am

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Match Reports

Four Star U's Make the Play-Offs

Oxford United 4 Burton Albion 0. Full time report

9 May 2021

Oxford United's remarkable season will continue with a second successive play-off campaign after a convincing 4-0 win over Burton Albion today clinched the 6th and final place in the Sky Bet League 1 play-off places.

Knowing they needed to better Portsmouth and Charlton’s results elsewhere, United kept their end of the deal superbly and goals from Olamide Shodipo, Matty Taylor Elliot Lee and Sam Winnall saw United defy the odds to keep their season alive a little longer.

What they needed was an early goal to settle them down, knowing the effect it would have when news travelled, and after nine minutes Shodipo powered home a header from five yards out to give the U’s the advantage. It was a good move that paved the way and James Henry who put the goal on a plate with a perfect cross from the right.

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Had Matty Taylor been able to convert a Shodipo cross five minutes later, Rob Atkinson made better contact with a shot from the edge of the area or Henry been a foot lower from similar range, then a two-goal lead within 15 minutes would surely have ended the contest. Instead Burton hung in there, despite being under pressure from United’s quick movement when in possession and press when out of it.

Was anyone going to help? Step forward Accrington Stanley. Danny Rowe volleyed a good effort wide for Burton at exactly the moment that Stanley took the lead at Portsmouth, and when Taylor made it 2-0 moments later the impossible dream was on. In all honesty, it was Burton who gave him the assist, a looping back header nowhere near keeper Dillon Barnes and allowing Taylor to loop a clever header over the stranded keeper for his 18th goal of the season.

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But United were full value for that two-goal lead and when needed Jack Stevens had made one good save to keep the precious lead intact. The game was soon put to bed when Lee made it 3-0 on 56 with a free kick under the wall which went in via the left-hand post, and then it was just a case of every Oxford fan supporting Accrington: the team they twice previously swapped places with in the Football League.

Burton pushed forward but United held them largely at arm's length and on 90 minutes Winnall cleverly lofted the ball over Barnes to make it 4-0 with a typically clinical finish.

The final whistle saw joyous scenes as staff and players celebrated a job well done on the day and a magnificent achievement over all, especially for a side that was bottom of the league in the opening exchanges.

All that was missing was the fans, and you'll get your chance as the U's move on to face Blackpool, home and away, with the first game at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday 18th: keep an eye right here for details of how to be part of a ballot for home leg tickets.

Meanwhile, enjoy the moment...

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