Oxford have performed impressively by defeating teams around them as they aim to move away from the relegation zone in the Championship, especially when playing at home.
As a result, they will be optimistic about securing a victory at the Kassam Stadium as they face Portsmouth on Saturday.
Portsmouth are heading to Oxford with some improvements after a slow start since their promotion, but their performances on the road have been poor, making this upcoming match a challenging one against Gary Rowett’s improving team.
Team news
The game seems to have come too soon for Oxford's captain Elliott Moore, even though he has resumed training after a thigh injury, while Ben Nelson may not return from his loan spell at Leicester after facing a similar issue in November.
Portsmouth are expected to have Regan Poole back from a hamstring injury after being sidelined for 14 games, but Jordan Williams remains absent, and Ibame Bowat, Jacob Farrell, and Paddy Lane are ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The stats
Portsmouth have seen at least three goals in 22 out of their 32 Championship matches this season.
Both teams have scored in six of Oxford's last eight home league games.
Portsmouth have suffered defeats in their previous seven away Championship games, and they have conceded two or more goals in seven of their last eight away league matches.
Oxford have collected 13 points from their recent five Championship games at the Kassam Stadium.
Prediction
Portsmouth have managed to create a four-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone in the Championship, but with a string of seven consecutive away losses, they appear vulnerable against Oxford this Saturday.
John Mousinho's team has recorded just one victory away from home in the Championship this season and has failed to score in six of their last ten away games, including a 2-0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup.
They will be aiming to replicate Oxford's recent success under new manager Rowett in pulling away from the danger zone.
Oxford may have been disappointed not to secure a win against Bristol City in their previous home game, despite facing nine players from the opposition for almost an hour in a 1-1 draw.
Nevertheless, prior to that match, Oxford had achieved four consecutive victories at home, which included a significant win against Blackburn Rovers, who are chasing a playoff spot.
The other three wins were against Cardiff, Plymouth, and Luton, all of whom were in the bottom five at the start of the week. Oxford will be looking to continue their positive form by defeating another struggling team in the upcoming Saturday match.