Hello Darlo

Weather permitting United entertain Darlington at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday (if weather doesn't permit then the game will be rearranged for this Tuesday, January 14th, weather permitting). Last season Darlington beat United in the final game of the season after Jamie Brooks had put the Us ahead, but that was then and this is now. Oxford will definitely make one change from the side which played at Highbury, as Scott McNiven is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Rushden. This is likely to lead to a recall for Dean Whitehead, who has played at right wingback before, or possibly ROS Chris Hackett if we're lucky. Another option might see the return of James Hunt who has been out with injury since Boxing Day, possibly with Roy Hunter, clutching his new contract until the season's end, taking up McNiven's role.

Darlington are going great shakes (heh, geddit!). They are 16th in the Division and have drawn their last three league games. They did, however, rather spectacularly lose 3-2 at home to Farnborough in the FA Cup third round last weekend. Whilst many Oxford fans are looking forward to a straightforward win, no questions asked, we here at Rage Online are more pessimistic (quelle surprise!) fully aware of Oxford's capacity to cock up games they are favourites to win. We would be even more certain of defeat if we had somehow managed to beat Arsenal, but Darlo's loss to Farnborough is the only warning sign we need as we predict a 2-1 defeat to those northern Quakers.