Following victories on Tuesday and Thursday nights, against Colchester United and Friends of Stratfield Brake, United take to the road for their first away game of the season this Sunday at Hull City.

United’s last trip to the MKM Stadium was just five months ago and it ended in disappointment for the U’s, who lost 2-1 despite Michał Helik giving the Yellows the lead.

Michał Helik celebrates giving Oxford the lead at Hull last season (photo: Steve Edmunds)

In fact, United haven’t won in Hull since a Hugh Curran goal earned the two points in October 1972, although generally speaking games against the Tigers have had more positive than negative outcomes for Oxford.

Stats against Hull can be found HERE.

After losing the season’s opener against Portsmouth last weekend, Oxford will be hoping to get something out of the game to kick start the campaign, especially with a tricky trip to Birmingham City the following week. The good news is that the injuries picked up by Elliott Moore and Stan Mills in the Portsmouth game were only minor and that there was no further damage in the League Cup tie in midweek.

There is hope that one or two of the injured players, especially Brian De Keersmaecker and Przemysław Płacheta, might be back in the squad (although we have no inside knowledge). Meanwhile, Hull have lost the services of summer signing Semi Ajayi with a hamstring injury. One of Ajayi’s possible replacements is former United midfielder John Lundstram, who also joined the Tigers in the summer. He was excellent for the U’s, but that was seven years ago and he is 31 now. Not saying he’s no longer a decent player, just that he might not be quite as effective for Hull as he was for us.

Will the Tigers give the Ox a mauling? Or will the Ox gore the Tigers? Probably neither. We’re expecting a tight game with one goal possibly the difference either way (watch there be a goalfest now). Unfortunately, the game is not available to watch on Sky Sports+ or OUTV (at least in this country), although apparently Paramount + are showing it if you’re unlucky enough to live in the USA. For the rest of us, let’s hope there’s a way.