Kiddy coming

Saturday sees the visit to Oxford of Kidderminster Harriers in a crucial match for both clubs. If Kidderminster lose it will be virtually the end of their play-off hopes, whilst if Oxford win they can still realistically look at the possibility of automatic promotion. United will still be without Steve Basham up front and so leading scorer Andy Scott and on-loan Dominic Foley look set to continue their striking partnership.

Ian Atkins may decide to play the 4-4-2 formation which failed so spectacularly against Carlisle, although it could be argued that it was still too cautious a formation, with no wingers until Paul Powell came on for Jefferson Louis. More likely he will revert to his favoured 5-3-2 which has won so many games away from home and totally failed at the KasStad. He may choose to retain Dave Waterman in midfield, although hopefully Dean Whitehead will have done enough in the reserves to persuade the boss that he deserves a go, alongside Bobby Ford and Dave Savage. At the back expect the usual suspects, unless Dave Waterman is preferred to Matt Bound.

Kidderminster are four points behind United, although they have played one game fewer. Given the importance of this game, United's poor home record and their tendency to bottle it when they most need not to, Rage Online predicts a 1-0 win to the away side (of course).

None of United's rivals for promotion, which consists of almost half the division, are involved in games against each other, which is bizarre considering how many teams are involved. Third placed Wrexham look to have a relatively straightforward game at home to 21st placed Bristol Rovers, whilst Bournemouth in fourth are also at home against mid-table, nothing to play for, Southend. Torquay and York also both have home games, against Macclesfield and Rochdale respectively, so even if United beat Kidderminster they are unlikely to move up more than one place (York's fixture looks like being the most difficult of the above).

Of the teams directly below Oxford it is Lincoln who have the most difficult looking fixture: a visit to title challengers Rushden. Bury entertain second bottom Carlisle and should take three points, while Scunthorpe visit fifth from bottom Swansea. The only other team in the frame is Cambridge, who face a relatively easy visit from the league's bottom club, Exeter. All of which makes it even more important that United take the points against Kiddy, and makes it even less likely that they will do so.