Perhaps the best game of the week in League One comes from the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night, as third placed Oxford take on the new league leaders Bolton. There's just three points between these teams, with Bolton leapfrogging to the top after winning at the weekend, while Oxford and former leaders Portsmouth, both lost.
Oxford United Form GuideWe are about to find out just how important Liam Manning was for Oxford United. He's left to join Bristol City, with Des Buckingham, Oxford-born, taking over. Buckingham watched his team lose at the weekend, they were beaten 2-0 away at struggling Cheltenham, and that was a bigger disappointment as it left Oxford outside the automatic promotion spots for the first time in a while.
Prior to that, and the departure of Manning, Oxford had really impressed, they've won 11 of 17 so far, and won two before the international break. But now we see what this team is made of, and just as Buckingham is trying to find his feet, Oxford welcome the new league leaders Bolton on Tuesday night.
Bolton Form GuideReaching the playoffs last season, the goal for Bolton this time around was simple, go better. They've managed to keep most of the squad together, a big positive, and after an average start, we are seeing the very best of Bolton right now. Top of the league after leapfrogging Oxford and Portsmouth, they'll see this as a chance to kick clear.
They've won six league games in a row, and at the weekend, won 7-0 at home to Exeter. That was impressive, I thought Bolton were unplayable at times that game, and really excite me right now. They've been away and won at Wycombe, Charlton and Shrewsbury in this run, so can do it away from home too.
Match PredictionI think there is great value in a Bolton win here. I think they are the better team, but the gap grows when you factor in that Oxford are in transition right now, I think Bolton come here, take home three points, and make a real statement to the league.