Oxford vs Fleetwood: Pre Match Stats Pack

Oxford fans cannot be blamed for feeling a sense of deja vu after another defeat to Charlton on Tuesday despite dominating much of the play.

Many have been left feeling it’s been the same story all season and after a third postponement last Saturday - this time the much-anticipated derby game - it’s fair to say Oxford’s luck appears to be out.  

With this in mind, the last thing United need is a sixth away game of the season and, more worryingly, an away game at Highbury.

Oxford have picked up just two points from a possible 18 in away matches with Fleetwood. In fact those are the only two points Oxford have ever gained against The Trawlermen in League encounters, losing all five of their home games with them.  

It means that Fleetwood are the only side in League One this season that Oxford have never beaten, and United fans will not be confident of breaking that record this weekend.  

Oxford’s conversion rate sits at just 6% this year, and they have failed to score in 57% of their league matches.

Their average of more than 17 shots per game over the last five league matches is greater than anyone else in the division. But they still lost on four of these occasions.

Teams have been happy for United to have the bulk of the play because they know that they can hurt a flimsy looking Oxford defence from a few set pieces and counter attacks, and this looks to play right into the hands of Fleetwood.

Joey Barton’s men have already scored four goals from set pieces this season.

They also fit the bill in allowing Oxford to do more of the attacking, as they have averaged nearly four less shots per game than the Yellows.

These are bad omens for Oxford, with Fleetwood posing a similar threat to some of the teams Oxford have succumbed to in recent weeks. Although the style Fleetwood adopt in open play may not replicate these teams.    

A glimmer of hope for Oxford?

Although Fleetwood have looked dangerous from set pieces so far this season, they have generally looked to control the possession in the matches they've played. 

This could be a good sign for Oxford, whose three victories in all competitions this season have come when the opposition have had 50% or more of the possession.

The Cod Army have the sixth highest average possession in League One, even higher than Oxford’s total.

As well as this, Fleetwood have averaged 451 passes per game, and 77% of these have been short passes.

The size of Fleetwood’s attack also suggests a different style, with their two top scorers and main goal threats, Callum Camps and Harvey Saunders, both under six foot.

This suggests that despite Fleetwood’s threat from set pieces, they are not as direct as some of the teams Oxford have faced in recent weeks. 

Better news for Karl Robinson’s team who might have more joy in breaking down a side who try to outplay their opposition than one that just sits back, as they may look to utilize additional space in behind and encourage more mistakes from the opposition backline, as we have seen particularly in Oxford’s last victory against MK Dons.    

Marcus McGuane could be absent from the trip to Fleetwood, with the birth of his child immanent, and it was his pace down the wing that troubled MK Dons last week, particularly in the first half. So it may be down to Olamide Shodipo or Dan Agyei to provide a similar threat this weekend, as their speed up top could be a major weapon against a Fleetwood side whose defence enjoys stepping up to start attacks.  

Although Oxford fans can be forgiven for fearing the worst with the combination of frustratingly bad finishing and an extremely fragile defence making this a bad time to try and break the Fleetwood hoodoo.

The backline remains plagued with injuries and it looks like Sam Long will have to start at centre back again, meaning it’s another small looking line up for Oxford who will be fearing the threat of Fleetwood from set pieces.

The key will be not conceding any unnecessary fouls, like the one which gave Charlton a free kick at the end of the first half and ultimately won them the game on Tuesday, as Fleetwood will look to flex their set piece muscles at every possible opportunity.   

But fans will hope Fleetwood's desire to play open and expansive football can help Oxford in a match which carries much more importance than simply breaking the Fleetwood record for a United side in dire need of some confidence.