Des Buckingham will take charge of his first game as Oxford United boss when his side take on Cheltenham Town in Saturday's League One contest.

While the U's are sitting in the League One promotion places, Cheltenham are currently languishing in the bottom four.

Match preview

Having picked up nine points from 16 games, Cheltenham head into the weekend in 23rd position with eight points separating them from safety.

After finding it tough going for much of the season, the Robins showed signs of promise by collecting two victories in their final three games in October.

However, they were unable to carry that form into this month, as they began November with heavy defeats to Wimbledon and West Ham Under-21s in the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy respectively.

While they were unable to record a victory in their most recent outing against Wigan Athletic on November 11, they at least managed to avoid a third consecutive defeat, with Liam Sercombe equalising from the penalty spot to help his side pick up a point.

As a result of the 1-1 draw, they have now gone three home league games without defeat, but that promising spell of home form will be put to the test on Saturday when they face one of the main promotion contenders.

Despite sitting one point adrift of leaders Portsmouth, Oxford have experienced a tumultuous few weeks following Liam Manning's decision to accept the managerial role at Championship side Bristol City.

Manning's departure resulted in Craig Short being placed in interim charge for wins over Chelsea Under-21s and Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy and league respectively.

The club's hierarchy have since announced Manning's successor, appointing Oxford-born Buckingham, who has left his role as Mumbai City head coach to take on his first managerial role in English football.

Buckingham, who previously played in Oxford's youth setup, began his coaching career with the U's under Chris Wilder, before going on to work overseas, where he took on a number of roles, including head coach of the New Zealand Under-21 and Under-23 teams.

The 35-year-old will be under pressure to hit the ground running, with Oxford currently enjoying a four-game winning run in all competitions, while they have won seven of their last eight competitive away games.

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of wing-back Liam Smith and midfielder Elliot Bonds due to injury issues.

Cheltenham boss Darrell Clarke could opt for consistency and select the same lineup that started the 1-1 draw with Wigan.

Fresh from starting back-to-back games for Wales Under-21s, Owen Bevan is set to start in a back three alongside Curtis Davies and Lewis Freestone.

As for the visitors, defender Sam Long and midfielder Marcus Browne are set to miss out, although the latter is closing in on a return to action.

Buckingham has revealed that Kyle Edwards is in contention to feature in the matchday squad after recovering from a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since September.

Welsh forward Mark Harris is expected to lead the line for the visitors, and he will be looking to add to his three-goal tally for the League One season.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Bevan, Davies, Freestone; Long, Pett, Thompson, Sercombe, Williams; Street, Goodwin

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Brown, Leigh; McGuane, Brannagan; Mills, Rodrigues, Bodin; Harris

We say: Cheltenham Town 1-2 Oxford United

Cheltenham may have avoided defeat in their last three home league games, but we think that they will be edged out by an Oxford side that boasts best away record in the division after picking up 18 points from their eight away games.

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