Oxford v West Ham Carabao Cup Preview

Oxford United play hosts to West Ham tonight in the third round of the Carabao Cup. This will be the 4^th time the pair have met in the League Cup, with West Ham having won 2 and lost 1.

Our complete history against Oxford is Played 15, Won 9, Drew 2 and Lost 4. 3 of those losses coming away from home.

Unfortunately, the game is not available anywhere on TV including on my ‘international satellite system’ so I’ll have to make do with either Radio London or following the commentary on the SKY Sports App or West Ham Twitter feed.

MY LINE-UP

Goalkeeper:

I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Roberto will again make an appearance between the posts. He had a decent game v Newport so fingers crossed for the same tonight. Still scares the bejesus out of me though.

Defence:

No doubt there will be changes in the back four.

Zabaleta, I would assume, will come in for Fredericks.

Diop/Ogbonna will make way for Balbuena, my preference would be for Diop to drop to the bench. The more game time Ogbonna seems to be getting the more he appears to be improving. He’s almost back to his best.

In the left back position, I would be inclined to go with Cresswell following on from his performance at the weekend. He is bound to be full of confidence and another game wouldn’t do that any harm.

Midfield:

Again, I would expect wholesale changes in the midfield.

I think Rice will continue in his role with Sanchez brought in for Noble beside him.

Snodgrass, Wilshere and Fornals will more than likely make our starting attacking three. The more games Fornals plays the better. He done well at the weekend, but I still think he is adjusting to the English game. Another game can only help and improve him.

Forward:

Up front I would say it’ll be another start for Ajeti. I felt he done well against Newport in the last round and hope for more this time.

I personally would like to see Haller start. I think he has not been his prolific self in the last few games. Maybe I’m putting too much expectation on him following his performances at the beginning of the season but a goal or two tonight would possibly kick start him back into gear?

So, with all the above in mind, I think we are looking at a starting 11 of:

I’d like to remain strong on the bench tonight, just in case things aren’t going the way we want on the pitch. I’d want Anderson, Noble, Masuaku, Yarmolenko and Haller on there at least.

Overall, I would expect that team to be able to beat Oxford. Although they have just come off the back of a 6-0 victory away from home. And they have won 5 out of their last 7 home matches (W5,D1,L1) including a League Cup victory against Millwall (I just had to get that in).

But let’s not take anything for granted though look what happened Spurs last night (had to get that in as well).

I want a cup run and rumour has it, the manager and players do too, so let’s make it this year!

COYI!

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