Kane starts: The predicted Oxford United XI to face Cheltenham on New Years Day | OneFootball

Oxford United will be looking to start 2022 on a positive note by securing all three points in their showdown with Cheltenham Town at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s climbed up to fifth in the League One standings earlier this week as they sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Set to face a Cheltenham outfit this weekend who have failed to win any of their last five league games, Oxford will unquestionably fancy their chances of producing another eye-catching display in-front of their supporters.

Whilst James Henry is set to miss this particular clash due to injury, the likes of Sam Winnall, Anthony Forde and Marcus McGuane will all be pushing for a place in the club’s starting eleven after making cameo appearances against Wimbledon.

Here, we have decided to take a look at how the U’s could line up in tomorrow’s clash with the Robins…

Having utilised the 4-3-3 formation on a regular basis this season, Robinson is set to stick with this particular set up on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood will be tasked with preventing Cheltenham from scoring in this fixture.

Jordan Thorniley will be partnered in the heart of defence by Elliott Moore whilst Steve Seddon and Sam Long will occupy the full-back positions.

Mark Sykes will feature in a three-man midfield alongside Cameron Brannagan and Herbie Kane who is now set to stay at the Kassam Stadium for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign after the club decided to pay Barnsley to remove a recall clause that was included in the initial loan agreement for the midfielder.

Since making the move to Oxford, Kane has provided four assists for his team-mates in 16 league appearances.

Currently averaging a respectable WhoScored match rating of 6.95 in the third-tier, the midfielder will be confident in his ability to deliver the goods against the Robins.

Ryan Williams and Gavin Whyte will feature in the wide positions for the U’s whilst Matty Taylor is expected to lead the line again this weekend.

Having already scored 10 goals in the third-tier this season, Taylor will unquestionably fancy his chances of adding to this particular tally against a Cheltenham team who have only managed to keep three clean-sheets at this level.