Oxford United make their first ever trip to Droyslden, east of Manchester, tomorrow, for their evening televised Conference game.[@opponent]droylsden[/@opponent][@connection]droylsden[/@connection] This is a match that United are expected to win, given Droyslden's part-time status (not that Histon were unduly exercised) and their position at the foot of the Conference table. Oxford will be keen to wipe away the memory of Histon, and also to make up for the disappointing draw with York City on Sunday, when their performance was more akin to a sleepwalk at times. It is still early in the season, but the weight of expectation on the side has led to many fans questioning Jim Smith's management after their poor start, and anything but victory tomorrow will have even more knives out for Smith.

As if he didn't have enough problems, Smith will be without two influential players tomorrow, as both Rob Duffy and Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet were both injured during the York game, and both face up to two months out. With Chris Willmott coming through 90 minutes against Milton United on Tuesday, this means that he could come into the central defence, with Matt Day moving to right wingback. Luke Foster has also played there before, and also played the whole match at Milton, but Smith may be reluctant to soften his stance on Foster, whom he has accused of having an inappropriate lifestyle. Arthur Gnohere also played the full 90 at Milton, and could be another possibility, but Phil Gilchrist, while also featuring for the full match, probably needs at least one more outing before considered match fit. Up front, Gary Twigg is just about the only possibility to take over from Duffy, given that Joel Ledgister is another week or so away from resuming training. Better news is that Danny Rose, who went off at Milton with a sore hamstring, could be fit in time for selection tomorrow.

Droyslden are finding their first season at this level a bit tougher than they anticipated, and the Bloods have yet to win a game, and have lost their last 11. They came close to breaking that sequence at league leaders Torquay United last weekend, but having led for much of the game they lost to a last-minute goal. Given that Oxford have yet to win when live on Setanta, and this game will be the fifth time that they have featured so far, allied with United's notorious habit of succumbing meekly to inferior opposition (Chester City in 1995, anyone? Okay, so hardly habitual, but not unexpected either), and bearing in mind that the bookies have Oxford odds-on favourites to win this match, which is practically unheard of for the away team, Rage Online has no option but to predict a 1-0 home win. However, we're mildly confident that we might get this one wrong.

Other Conference games worthy of note tomorrow include Torquay's visit to Ebbsfleet, Cambridge United's home game against Halifax, and fourth-placed Burton Albion hosting sixth-placed Salisbury City. The big game at the top sees third-placed Stevenage Borough welcome Aldershot Town, just one place above them. The other side above Oxford are Forest Green Rovers, who visit third-bottom Stafford Rangers.

Please note: Rage Online will be unavailable from this evening until some time on Sunday, because of a power outage at our host company. This will also affect the new Ultimate Yellows web site.