Labeled as doomed by many before a ball was even kicked, Oxford have been far from embarrassed in their first season in the second tier since 1999. However, they are still just four points clear of the drop zone and caught up in a typically busy Championship relegation battle.
On the other hand, Middlesbrough have witnessed their January spending spree begin to pay off and are back in contention for the play-offs following three wins and a draw in their last five matches.
This sets up Saturday’s match between Boro and the Yellows at the Riverside to have significant implications at either end of the table, though the home team is favored to come out on top.
Team news
Middlesbrough are facing an injury crisis, with Luke Ayling, George Edmundson, Darragh Lenihan, Rav van den Berg, Riley McGree, Ben Doak, Seny Dieng, Sol Brynn, and Alex Bangura out of action, and Dael Fry uncertain.
Oxford's injury concerns are fewer, with only Joe Bennett, Elliott Moore, Greg Leigh, and Tom Bradshaw unavailable.
The stats
Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last five games, while Oxford have gone nine away matches without a victory.
Only one of Boro's last eight home matches have had more than 3.5 goals scored.
Out of Oxford's 19 away games in the Championship, only three have seen over three goals scored, but Middlesbrough came out on top in a 6-2 thriller in the previous encounter.
Prediction
Despite Middlesbrough's injury problems, Michael Carrick has coped admirably with a tough situation in recent weeks, playing matches against QPR and Luton with no fit center-backs but managing to earn four points.
These opponents are currently positioned similarly to Oxford in the table, indicating that Boro's improved form might continue on Saturday despite ongoing fitness issues.
Middlesbrough won convincingly 6-2 in the previous match, but Oxford's streak of nine winless away games suggests another victory for Middlesbrough, although it may not be as emphatic this time.
Emmanuel Latte Lath, who scored a hat-trick in the earlier fixture, left in January, and his impact has not been fully replaced yet, with only one of Middlesbrough's last eight home games having more than 3.5 goals.
On the other hand, Oxford showed more defensive solidity under their new manager, Gary Rowett, compared to their performance in the previous encounter. Although victory might elude Oxford at the Riverside, they are not likely to concede as many goals, and maintaining a tight defense in defeat could be crucial in the relegation battle, especially if goal difference becomes significant.