Oxford United welcome Weymouth to the United Stadium this evening, for their first meeting against the Terras this season.[@opponent]weymouth[/@opponent][@connection]weymouth[/@connection] The original meeting was planned for 1 December, but United were involved in the FA Cup second round against Southend United, and so the match was rescheduled for tonight. In the meantime, the Us had a lean December, during which they managed just one goal, in the Boxing Day win over Crawley, but 2008 has started slightly better, with the New Year's Day 2-0 defeat at Crawley wiped from the memories with a scintillating performance against a totally rubbish Altrincham side, surely destined for their third successive relegation from the Conference (a unique achievement). Oxford will be hoping for more of the same against a Weymouth side that is only slightly less rubbish than Alty. Although all the publicity recently has concentrated on the Us' appalling goalscoring record, it should not be forgotten that they have not conceded a goal at home in the league since the 3-3 draw against Torquay United, on 11 October. Although, we have now surely jinxed that record.

Darren Patterson welcomes back skipper Barry Quinn into the squad, and he is likely to replace Michael Corcoran in the starting line up, even though Corky had a corking game against Altrincham. With no new injury worries, and no new signings, we don't foresee any other changes to the winning line up.

Weymouth are struggling at the wrong end of the Conference, currently lying just two places, and five points, above the fourth relegation place, occupied by Altrincham. The Terras lost 4-1 at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, with an injury-ravaged squad. Former United triallist Stuart Beavon is injured, while Simon Weatherstone sprained his ankle and is a doubt for tonight. Another ex-U, striker Jefferson Louis, was recently sacked by Weymouth following an argument with manager Jason Tindall. We are, foolishly, confident that United can replicate Saturday's performance, although probably not the result, and are happy to predict a 2-0 win for the Yellows. We will, no doubt, be brought crashing back to earth.

There is one other Conference game taking place tonight, with Altrincham hosting Kidderminster Harriers, who are one place and one point above United. An Altrincham win will hoist them above Farsley Celtic and out of the relegation zone, although if they play anything like they did on Saturday that's not particularly likely. Last night, Torquay United were beaten 2-1 at Plainmoor by Burton Albion, with Chris Zebroski scoring for the Gulls.