Third-placed York City visit Conference-leaders Oxford tomorrow, aiming to be the first club to beat the Yellows this season. Only Grays Athletic have taken a point from the United Stadium this season, but York have won four out of five away games so far, and will certainly be up for the challenge. Half-time at the game will be quarter of the way through the league season, and if United do beat York that could leave the Us potentially 11 points clear of the third-placed team.

The good news for Jim Smith is that he should have his two most influential players back in the squad. Both Andy Burgess and Phil Gilchrist missed the 1-0 win at Stafford, but Burge should have recovered from the ‘flu, while Gilly’s achilles injury should have healed. Less good news is that Rufus Brevett may miss out with an ankle injury, although that would leave the way open for Matt Day to start at left wingback, the position from where he scored his two stunning goals this season. Rob Duffy and Steve Basham are the most likely striking duo, while Burgess’s return could mean no place for John Dempster, who replaced him at Stafford. Meanwhile, United were rocked by the news that three Youth Team players (Luke Bennett, David Malloy, and the ROS Ben Weedon) could all be out for six months with cruciate ligament injuries. We wish the lads all the best for a quick recuperation.

York are one of a number of ex-League clubs looking to regain their status, and they will certainly see United as a side that they need to beat if they are to do so. Their main threat is striker Clayton Donaldson, and if United can keep him quiet then they are halfway there. The bad news for United is that defender Nathan Peat may not play, with Andy McGurk recovered from the injury that kept him out of York’s home draw with Southport. As far as a prediction goes, United’s season has so far followed a pattern: four wins followed by a draw, then three wins followed by a draw, and then two wins. All of which suggests that this game should end in a draw. Of course, the real world doesn’t work like that, but it certainly provides a decent excuse for predicting a draw, and we’re all in favour of reducing our workload. So, 0-0 then.