Burton Albion[@opponent]Burton Albion[/@opponent] are the latest visitors to Oxford, when they come tomorrow to try and upset United's play-off bid and consolidate their own entry to that end-of-season competition. Oxford will be buzzing after their second-half performance against Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday, and will be intent on replicating that against Nigel Clough's side, whom Oxford beat 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium back on 18 August, thanks to two Rob Duffy goals[@report]260[/@report]. Oxford now have a nine point gap over sixth-placed Exeter City, who have played one game fewer than Oxford, but will hope to keep the pressure on their immediate challengers, especially now that it has been confirmed that the play-off final is to be held at the new Wembley Stadium, which is a huge incentive to the players. United, of course, have a 100 per cent record at that particular venue, although we will neglect to mention Jim Smith's record at the same arena.[@connection]Burton Albion[/@connection]

Smith has another option tomorrow, as Martin Foster will be available again after missing two games through suspension. He may come in for Carl Pettefer, who was disappointing against Dagenham, although Smith may decide to stick with Chris Hargreaves, who made such a difference when he replaced Danny Rose at half time. In fact, the second-half display on Monday night will give Smith pause for thought for his whole line-up, especially how he handles the four strikers who are currently vying for two or three starting positions. Rage Online would like to see Rob Duffy and Yemi Odubade's prolific partnership return, but that would be harsh on both Marvin Robinson and new boy Chris Zebroski (the only player whose surname begins with the letter Z ever to play for the Us). The question mark for the back line is whether or not Michael Corcoran will return after he was rested on Monday, despite not playing for the Northern Ireland under-21 side. If he does return, then who will he replace?

Burton are currently fifth in the Conference, three points above Exeter, and six behind Oxford but with a game in hand. It has been their away form that has let them down, as they have failed to score in their last four away games (the last two ending 0-0), and haven't won on the road since beating Cambridge United 2-1 at the end of December (and, as Jim Smith says, everyone wins at Cambridge). In their goalless draw at Kidderminster on Saturday, the Brewers saw leading scorer Daryl Clare hobble off, and he is doubtful for tomorrow's game. Rage Online is uncharacteristically optimistic about this game, expecting the players (who have apparently been very lively and upbeat in training this week) to put aside the disappointment of Dagenham's last-minute equaliser and to beat Burton 2-0. You will be surprised to learn, though, that our predictions have occasionally been wrong before.

There is a full programme of Conference games tomorrow, with leaders Dagenham visiting 18th-placed Tamworth. A match that should pose no worries for the champions-elect, who only need three more wins to confirm the title (assuming that Oxford win all their remaining matches). Third-placed York City host Gravesend & Northfleet who, in eighth place, harbour play-off ambitions of their own. Morecambe, who are fourth, welcome mid-table Woking to Christie Park, while Exeter face a tricky visit to Altrincham, who are gradually pulling away from the relegation zone.

Of the other play-off contenders, Stevenage Borough, who are seventh, travel to Crawley, while ninth-placed Weymouth will win at Cambridge, of course. Realistically, the Terras are the lowest-placed team who are likely to scrape into the play-offs, with 10th-placed Aldershot four points adrift of them. They're at home to relegation-fodder St Albans, with Kidderminster, who are level on points with the Shots, at home to fourth-bottom Northwich Victoria, whom they knocked out of the FA Trophy in the semi-final. There is then a six-point gap to Stafford Rangers, who visit bottom club Southport. Third-bottom Grays Athletic are at home to Halifax Town, while there is also a mid-table, nothing-to-get-particularly-excited-about clash between Forest Green Rovers and Rushden & Diamonds.