It was almost exactly five years ago that Bury last visited Oxford for a Fourth Division fixture. On that occasion two goals in three minutes, from Lee Mansell and a Lee Bradbury penalty, earned United a 2-1 win. Tomorrow's match is altogether more auspicious, as it marks the return of League football to Oxford after four long years elsewhere. For Chris Wilder it's an opportunity to determine how far his team has come since he became manager in December 2008, after six months as assistant to Alan Knill at Gigg Lane.

It is unlikely that Wilder will make any changes to the starting line-up following Tuesday's 6-1 demolition of Bristol Rovers in the League Cup first round, although following the reserves' 4-0 win over Glen Hoddle's Academy there may be some alterations to the bench. Anthony Tonkin received a knock during the second half on Tuesday, for which he required fairly lengthy treatment, but he appeared to be fine after he returned to action. However, Wilder has built a squad at Oxford that means that even if a supposed first-team regular is missing there is someone equally capable of stepping in to take his place; in Tonkin's case that would mean a chance for Steven Kinniburgh.

Bury are fancied by some to be play-off contenders this season, although they have yet to find the net in their two games so far; they lost 1-0 at home to Port Vale in the opening fixture, and then were beaten by the same scoreline at Sheffield Wednesday in Tuesday's League Cup game. The stats show that Oxford should win tomorrow; United have won their last five home games, while Bury haven't won on the road for nine matches, losing their last two. However, we all know that football is played on the pitch and not in the archives, so a lot depends on how the two teams approach the fixture. If the Us play even half as well as they did on Tuesday, then it's bye-bye Bury, but if they turn up overconfident and assuming that the three points are already in the bag, then Bury are doubtless strong enough to get something from the game. [@opponent]bury[/@opponent] [@connection]bury[/@connection]

There is likely to be a large crowd tomorrow to welcome United back to the League, and it is sure to increase the average home attendance between the sides of 5,471. With a decent display, Oxford should also be able to add to the ten wins from 31 games (of which 13 have been drawn).