Sunderland will look to avoid being on the wrong end of an FA Cup shock when they travel to Oxford United on Sunday afternoon in the fourth round.
The Black Cats set up this tie after battling to a 1-1 draw away at Everton in the previous round, eventually coming through the penalty shoot-out.
Although Regis Le Bris’s side suffered their first Premier League home defeat of the season – a 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday night – they remain comfortably in mid-table.
With no threat of being dragged into a relegation fight, Sunderland can afford to focus on a proper cup run, and a trip to an out-of-form Oxford United outfit offers a solid opportunity to reach the fifth round.
Matt Bloomfield’s men find themselves in the English Championship relegation zone, and Tuesday’s 3-0 home defeat to Norwich City made it three losses from their last four league matches.
Like Sunderland, the U’s needed penalties to reach this stage, edging past MK Dons after a 1-1 draw in normal time in the previous round.
How the bookies view it: Sunderland to avoid a cup shock
The pre-match odds suggest that Sunderland will come through this tie with relative ease, with an away win priced up at best odds of 8/11 on Betfred.
Unsurprisingly, Oxford are big outsiders at 4/1 on Betfred, while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 29/10 with bet365.
Head to head: History against the hosts
Across their previous 11 encounters, Sunderland lead the head-to-head with five wins to Oxford’s single triumph, while the other five fixtures finished level. However, it’s worth noting that Oxford’s only win in this fixture came at this ground last season in the Championship, when the U’s ran out 2-0 winners – the same scoreline on Sunday is currently priced at a massive 25/1 with BetVictor.
Players to watch: Brobbey to bag?
With three goals across his last seven Premier League appearances, Brian Brobbey looks well placed for a goal or an assist against lower league opposition on Sunday at 11/10 on bet365.
Cameron Brannagan has been booked in three of his last seven English Championship outings, so the Oxford midfielder merits consideration for another caution here at 14/5 on Betway.
Predicted line-ups
Already up against the odds on Sunday, Oxford's cause is not helped by a heavy injury list which includes Brian De Keersmaecker, Hidde ter Avest, Jack Currie, Jamie Donley, Nik Prelec and Tyler Goodrham.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could be tempted to make some changes to his starting XI on Sunday, however, he will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Bertrand Traore, Granit Xhaka and Omar Alderete.
Oxford: Cumming; Makosso, Helik, Brown; Long, McDonnell, Brannagan, Roosken; Placheta, Peart-Harris, Emakhu
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Diarra; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing Sunderland to win at the aforementioned 8/11 on Betfair looks more than fair, given the gulf in class between the two sides.
However, an alternative angle that offers value is to side with the visitors to score two or more goals at even-money (1/1) on PaddyPower.
As already mentioned, Oxford have lost three of their last four English Championship matches, conceding multiple goals in each of those defeats.
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