Oxford complete their festive period of games tomorrow with a visit to Bury, where they won 4-0 last season. Bury are just one place above Oxford, level on points but with a superior goal difference. The Shakers haven’t won since the end of November, losing their last two games without scoring a goal.

Oxford will be without the ROS Chris Hackett following his red card yesterday, and he will also miss the matches against Darlington and Yeovil. Barry Quinn received his fifth yellow card of the season against Kidderminster (and then got a sixth yesterday) and so he is also looking at a one match suspension, although that probably won’t be for tomorrow’s match. Hackett’s suspension could open the way for triallist Doudou to show what he can do-do, and he is the only new face brought in by Ramon Diaz so far, although a number of new players are anticipated to sign this week, including a goalkeeper, a midfielder (possibly Emiliano Diaz, Ramon’s son), and a couple of defenders. However, none of these will be available for the trip to Gigg Lane.

Bury themselves will be without midfielder David Flitcroft, serving the second game of his two-match suspension, but will be hoping to reverse their current poor run. For their part, Oxford will want to record their first away win under Diaz. Rage Online can’t see that happening just yet, because that’s the way we are, but we are reasonably confident that the lads can get something out of the game, so we’re plumping for a 1-1 draw.