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Oxford vs Sunderland: Pre Match Stats Pack

If there’s one thing we know about League One it's that there is absolutely no way of predicting it. Impossible to second guess. Don’t even try to workout how any game is going to end. 

Although, maybe there are some exceptions. 

Four out of the last five meetings between these two teams have ended 1-1. The last three competitive matches at the Kassam have ended 1-1. Sunderland have recorded the most draws of any side in League One over the last two seasons. And how did they start the new season? 1-1.   

Though Sunderland will be extremely disappointed to come away with only a point from this match as they peppered the Bristol Rovers goal, an early goal proved to be too much to turn around. 

Sunderland had 25 shots in the game - including a massive 18 of them from inside the box. This was six more than anyone else in the league in the opening set of fixtures.  

The man who eventually put one of these in the net was former U’s hero Chris Maguire who will be expected to start again on Saturday.  

The Scot will be hopeful of breaking his top scoring record, set in his final stellar season at Oxford in which he registered double figures for goals and assists. 

Maguire’s record against former clubs is not brilliant, having only scored three goals against teams he once played for (quite a low number, given he has already played for over ten clubs). Less encouragingly, one of those three clubs was Oxford back in 2017. 

United will be doubly hopeful that Maguire doesn’t come back to torment them after they were undone by another former Oxford legend last weekend, Michael Appleton. 

His side did a job on Oxford winning out a match of very little chances, with just 17 shots all game, eight less than Sunderland mustered on their own.  

The Yellows didn’t manage a shot on goal in the first half and, like Sunderland, they were left frustrated by an early goal. 

POOR STARTERS

Last season, Sunderland conceded the joint third most goals in the opening fifteen minutes of a match in League One, and with both sides showing defensive frailty in the opening encounters, don’t be surprised if we see at least one goal early doors.   

Oxford also shared Sunderland’s frustration at dominating the ball but not the score line. 

Robinson’s men recorded 63% of the possession against Lincoln, while Sunderland went even better with 72% of the ball against Bristol Rovers. 

Another similarity between the two games and the two sides was a late red card. Rob Atkinson being sent off in 94th minute and Sunderland again one upping the Yellows with a red to George Dobson in the 96th. 

Unlike Oxford, they opted not to appeal what was a controversial decision so they will be without the versatile midfielder for their trip to the Kassam. 

Max Power knows all about suspensions, having been sent off three times in the 208-19 season, including a straight red against their Oxford. 

It's a crucial game for both teams after disappointing starts to the season. A point for Oxford would have fans worrying after just one from the opening two matches, while Sunderland supporters would be fearing another draw frenzy having already shared the spoils in their first match of the season. So a point wouldn't be particularly good for either team, but a defeat would be even worse, as they look to kickstart their respective seasons.  

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