Kick-off: 2005, 04/02/2020
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
TV: BBC One
Newcastle’s winter break has been shortened by a frustrating FA Cup replay and we fear Oxford could feel the backlash at Kassam Stadium.
The Magpies wasted numerous opportunities to settle this tie at St James’ Park but Steve Bruce still seems committed to chasing a good run in the competition.
Punters can get 21/20 for an away win and that is our initial Oxford vs Newcastle prediction.
A Look At Oxford United’s Betting Odds
Oxford did admittedly create some decent chances themselves on Tyneside, once settling down after a nervous start.
Marcus Browne was put through by Alex Gorrin but shot straight at Karl Darlow, who also saved well from Nathan Holland in injury time.
The U’s followed up that brave effort by beating Blackpool 2-1 at this venue in League One, with Browne bagging both goals.
However, with his side just below the play-off places in that division, manager Karl Robinson has mixed thoughts regarding this replay.
“My chairman wants it, trust me,” said Robinson, after watching Oxford hold their own in front of 52,221 at St James’ Park.
But he added: “We’re now going to play nine games in the month of February with a squad of 20 players.
“At our level, we play a stupid amount of games – we’re going to hit over 60 games this year, which is ludicrous.
“My players’ bodies are at breaking point and I don’t think it’s fair.”
The hosts can’t be taken lightly, having stuffed West Ham 4-0 here in the EFL Cup, as well as giving Manchester City a decent work-out before going down 3-1.
We still favour the Magpies, though, so 11/4 for an away win and both teams to score takes the eye from the Oxford vs Newcastle odds.
A Look At Newcastle United’s Betting Odds
Newcastle have not made it through to the FA Cup fifth round since 2006, but Bruce was clearly keen to put that right last month.
He fielded an £81million strikeforce of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin in the first encounter.
However, things did not go to plan, as the Magpies failed to capitalise on 63 per cent of possession, with Joelinton having two goals correctly disallowed for offside.
They again drew a blank in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Norwich in the Premier League, but it is not all doom and gloom for Newcastle.
Bruce’s men are unbeaten in seven games, drawing away to Wolves and Everton during that period, and are comfortably placed in 12th in the top flight.
The experienced head coach took Hull to the final in 2014 and a lack of viable options means he is set to make limited changes again at the Kassam Stadium.
“It’s got all the classics of the FA Cup,” said Bruce. “It’s live on the TV and they’re wanting the underdogs to turn us over, so we have to be wary of that.”
If the Magpies can put in a professional display, they should have too much technical ability for their opponents, though.
Almiron looked dangerous in the initial contest, so let’s finish off our Oxford vs Newcastle betting tips by taking 14/5 for him to score at any time and 15/2 he nets first.
The Paraguay playmaker struck in both games against Rochdale in the previous round!
Additional stats
Last result:
OXFORD 2-1 Blackpool – Marcus Browne (2)
NEWCASTLE 0-0 Norwich
Head-to-head: Newcastle 0-0 Oxford, Oxford 3-0 Newcastle
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