Rugger buggers

It looks like the Kassam Stadium could become a venue for braying students and former public schooboys. It has been mooted as a venue for the rugby union (that's the even more boring one of the two rugby codes) minor European trophy Parker Pen Trophy semi-final. This is between Pontypridd and London Irish (once themselves quite closely connected with a possible groundshare at Minchery Farm) and takes place on April 24th or thereabouts.

Imp ESP

Lincoln City, just one place below Oxford and level on points, visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday with aims of doing the double over United. Oxford could conceivably feature the return to first team action of Joey Beauchamp for the first time since August 25th, although if he does feature it is likely to be from the bench. The Us still have problems up front with Paul Moody and Jamie Brooks definitely out and Andy Scott doubtful, so it looks like Manny Omoyinmi and Phil Gray to start up front. Chris Hackett could have done enough recently to be given a starting place on the right wing, possibly with Sam Stockley dropping to the right back slot where he featured for the reserves yesterday.

The other question mark over United's line-up is in goal. Andy Woodman will probably start, although Ian Atkins might give Richard Knight another chance to try and reclaim the number one slot from Ian McCaldon as Woodman's loan is up after this game. It is unlikely to be extended as there is a possibility that Kevin Gibbens, who played for the reserves yesterday on trial, could join on loan until the end of the season, and with Lee Maddison also here on loan there would be no other loan spaces available. Unless Maddison is signed on a permanent contract of course….

Lincoln arrive following a 4-1 home defeat by Mansfield, which can't have been too pleasant for the Sincil Bank faithful. They have two games in hand on United, which makes it even more important that Oxford win. However Rage Online finds this a difficult game to call. We kind of suspect that United will beat them 2-1, but we wouldn't be surprised if this scoreline was reversed, or if neither side wins. We'll pin our tip on the 2-1 to United scoreline and let you all laugh at us later…