As the games continue to come thick and fast, Oxford United welcome Rushden & Diamonds for the second of four consecutive home matches, having beaten Histon 2-0 on Saturday. There will undoubtedly be changes to that side, as Alfie Potter limped off with a hamstring injury and James Constable is now back in contention having finished his two-game ban for receiving his tenth booking.

The win over Histon, coupled with defeats for Stevenage Borough and York City, took the Us back to the top of the Conference, and still with games in hand on their nearest rivals. Today's matches, with Luton Town away at York, could further clarify the position at the top, although on Thursday the Conference Board meets to discuss the future of Chester City, and their possible expulsion from the competition may further muddy the waters.

Rushden are on a good run, having climbed to fourth in the table on the back of four consecutive victories, including Saturday's late 1-0 win over Stevenage in which former-U Rob Wolleaston scored the winner. The Diamonds are unbeaten in the Conference since losing 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers on 5 December, although they were beaten 2-1 at Workington in the FA Trophy. They feature a twin ex-U strike force of Craig Farrell and Jefferson Louis, and it is Louis who possibly holds the key to whether or not Rusdhen will provide a threat tonight, as he has the ability to cause problems but doesn't always display it. [@opponent]Rushden & Diamonds[/@opponent][@connection]Rushden & Diamonds[/@connection]

Oxford and Rushden have some shared history, the sides having arrived in the fourth division from opposite directions in 2001, and Oxford gained their first home win at the Kas when they beat the Diamonds 3-2 on 1 September 2001, having been 3-0 up. That game saw Dean Whitehead, Martin Thomas, and Phil Bolland all score their first goals for United. Rushden's 3-0 win over United in January 2006 was Yemi Odubade's first game for the Us, and Neville Roach's last. When Rushden beat Oxford 5-0 in November 2007 it spelled the end of Jim Smith's second spell as manager and Phil Gilchrist's last game for the club.

Tonight's game has been designated “Scarf Day”, and a large crowd is anticipated with many fans still holding their tickets from the game's originally scheduled date of Boxing Day. Rain is forecast, so perhaps today should have been “Hat Day” instead. This evening's referee is Steve Creighton, in charge of Oxford's 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon in August, and no relation to Mark.