Accrington vs Oxford: Pre Match Stats Pack

Bad luck, injuries or complacency. Whatever it is, no points from two games marks a slow start to the season for Oxford United whose next test comes in the shape of a trip to Accrington - a stern test for a side yet to find their form.  

Accrington started their league campaign with a 2-0 victory over fellow promotion favourites Peterborough.  

They did though suffer a less positive result in their second match , a late goal meaning they left Burton empty handed.

Oxford’s possession against Sunderland last Saturday was lower than any league total at home last season, but a game against Accrington should give them a good opportunity to get their passing game going.

In Accrington’s first two matches they have averaged 37.5% possession, with an average of just 286 passes per game.

Although, the majority (64%) of Oxford’s passes came against Lincoln and in their game against Sunderland they matched Accrington’s average of 286 passes, there was only one league match last season where Oxford recorded less. 

If Oxford are going to rejuvenate their passing game - they averaged 441 passes per game last season -this may be the game to do it.     

Although Accrington may make it difficult for the midfield by breaking up the play, as only three League one sides have made more fouls in the opening two games than the reds.

Given that only Crewe have been fouled more than Oxford in the opening matches, it may be a frustrating day out for some of Oxford’s midfield maestros like Henry and Sykes.

PLAYING THE LONG GAME

Accrington however will be suited to keeping the midfield out of the game as they have already shown their tendency to use a more direct style of play, which proved Oxford’s downfall against their first two opposition, as well as in the playoff final against Wycombe.  

Charlton and Shrewsbury are the only two League One teams which have attempted more long balls in the first two matches, and in Mark Hughes Accrington have the outfield player with the most long balls played after two games.  

But the centre back will fancy his chances against a team yet to register a league goal this season, and this one doesn’t look like being a goal frenzy either. 

Only two sides have had less shots in the opening matches than Oxford - and Accrington have only had one more than the Yellows.

It gets worse for Oxford as Mark Sykes is the only player in the Oxford side to have registered an effort on goal within the six-yard box, and only four players in the oxford side have had shot from inside the penalty area - one of which is their centre back.  

Although Accrington too have unresolved scoring issues after the loss of Jordan Clark to Luton in the summer.

The right winger averaged 14 goal involvements over the last three seasons, and all three of Accrington’s goals this campaign have come from different sources, so they are still searching for a reliable source of goals and assists this season.

Everything points to this being a low scoring affair between two sides with vastly different motives for a result.  

Crewe are the only other side with Oxford yet to score this season - and the two teams face off next week. The Yellows will want to go into that game above their opponents, even if only on goal difference.

Oxford fans may not be particularly confident going into the match this Saturday but there is one positive to take into it, whatever happens, the only way is up.