Brighton face Oxford United tomorrow evening in the Carabao Cup at the Kassam Stadium.
Kicking off our domestic cup campaign with a team we haven’t played in nine years is a nice change of pace, and Gary Rowett’s side will be a nice test whilst providing an opportunity to rotate some players.
Who can expect to play, and what can be expected of Oxford?
The Albion to face the U’s
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Without a win after two games, it would be a great time to boost confidence and set up a potential cup run.
Fabian Hürzeler confirmed there is no new injury news, outside of Georginio Rutter, who will be looked at today.
Hürzeler looked ahead to Oxford and said:
“Of course, there will be changes regarding the players who will start, but it’s also a chance for these players and a chance for everyone to show themselves, to show the level of competition in this squad. We take it very seriously.”
In defence, Ferdi Kadioğlu is a safe bet to make his first start since scoring against Liverpool at Anfield last October.
Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola are yet to make an appearance in the stripes thus far; however, Hürzeler has said they will have a chance tomorrow to show how good they are.
“They have both very quickly integrated into the group, they are good characters and they have the potential to help us.”
The new centre-back duo will likely both get minutes tomorrow; however, it is bold to assume they both start together as they haven’t played, so a Jan Paul van Hecke or Lewis Dunk to partner one of them is likely.
In midfield, it is tough to see both Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari starting. With Baleba not looking particularly fit yet at the start of the season, two out of four of Jack Hinshelwood, Diego Gomez, James Milner or Mats Wieffer may get the opportunity to play centrally.
Hürzeler has said new recruits Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas will be with the squad tomorrow, with Tzimas unlucky to not make the match day squad on Sunday.
Brajan Gruda should be one of the first names on the team sheet to get a good run out, whilst Abdallah Sima, Jeremy Sarmiento and Tariq Lamptey may all potentially be involved.
Despite the good depth, Kaoru Mitoma looks very likely to start on the wing given the lack of depth ready, whilst Yankuba Minteh may also provide quality on the other flank.
With Danny Welbeck the only known fit striker, he may get the start with Tzimas likely to be involved as a sub.
The TalkSeagulls predicted lineup:
GK: Steele
LB: Kadioğlu
CB: Boscagli
CB: van Hecke
RB: Veltman
DM: Hinshelwood
CM: Gomez
AM: Gruda
LW: Mitoma
RW: Minteh
ST: Welbeck
What to expect from Oxford
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Oxford started their Championship campaign with three consecutive defeats, losing out to Portsmouth, Hull City and Birmingham, whilst edging past Colchester in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Hürzeler said: “They are very good in the defence, the defence shape, they’re very compact, they have a lot of physical players in the last line so it will not be easy to outplay them.”
New signing Brian De Keersmaecker made his first start for the club at the weekend and looks to be a player to watch in the heart of their midfield, alongside Tottenham loanee Will Lankshear up top.
Luke Harris and Ben Davies both have joined the club on loan; however are set to be absent, which will be a boost for the Albion.
Against Birmingham, Oxford set up in a 5-4-1, and looked to soak up pressure and attack in transition. The same can be expected in tomorrow evening’s clash, so Brighton will have to face breaking down a low block once more.
Rowett’s pragmatism and well-drilled team will be tough to face regardless of their start to the season.
Look out for Tyler Goodrham, an academy prospect who has emerged as a key player for Oxford, playing on either wing and through the middle.
Cameron Brannigan is also a tricky player and offers quality from set pieces and long range.
Prediction:
Brighton should have enough quality to beat Oxford United, but expect us to have to work for it.
Oxford United 0-2 Brighton, Gruda and Mitoma.
