Oxford United welcome Exeter City this evening as the Us try to extend, or at least preserve, their three-point lead at the top of the Conference. Exeter have had a disappointing time since their relegation from the League, often threatening to return to their previous status, but never quite managing it. Oxford don’t have a particularly impressive recent record against the Grecians, failing to beat them in any of their previous ten attempts. Indeed, the last time United beat Exeter was before Jim Smith was in charge first time around. Needless to say, the visitors will be hoping to continue that impressive run.

Smith is likely to field an unchanged team from that which won 3-0 at Morecambe on Saturday. This means that new signing Rufus Brevett will make his home debut, while Marvin Robinson will partner Steve Basham up front. Rob Duffy has almost recovered from his groin strain, but is only likely to be on the bench tonight.

Exeter’s squad includes former U Jon Richardson, whom City signed from Forest Green Rovers. The Exeter danger man is Lee Phillips, whom several clubs tried to entice from City during the summer, but who stayed at St James Park. The last three games between the sides have all ended 2-2, so Rage Online’s prediction for this evening is, you’ve probably already guessed, 2-2. Our predictions are nothing if not predictable.