Oldham are set to return on the road when they make the trip to face Oxford City in the National League on Saturday.
Micky Mellon’s side were scheduled to face Halifax Town in midweek though poor pitch conditions forced a postponement, whilst a rescheduled date has yet to be announced.
Latics’ last outing remains the 1-1 draw with rivals Rochdale one week ago, although Oldham will have the chance to flex their muscles on the road against Oxford, with the club still holding one of the best away records in the National League.
A full week's rest could prove beneficial for this side, who will be eager to return to winning ways. Athletic sit five points adrift of the playoff spots with three to play, leaving no room for error.
The Opposition
Oxford’s troubling season is almost at its end with the club set to return to the National League South next season. Just eight league wins this campaign has seen Oxford struggle to keep pace with those around them.
Harvey Greenslade’s consolation at Barnet in a 3-1 defeat almost two weeks ago was a fourth defeat in five, however this Oxford side will be determined to not go out with a whimper.
Prior, the side from Oxfordshire had secured a 1-0 win over Wealdstone which was their first in 12 at the time, though it has highlighted a trend that could give this team a boost of confidence.
Oxford have won six of their eight victories at Court Place Farm, and it could prove useful if they are to take anything from Oldham, though the visitors will be hoping for a repeat of affairs from the meeting in September between the two sides where Latics routed to a 4-0 win.
Key Player
In such a difficult campaign there have been few shining lights, though Joshua Parker’s productive scoring return has provided Oxford with an ever-reliable presence at the top of the pitch.
His 14 efforts this season has typified Parker’s impact, often being the man for the occasion when things have gone right for Oxford, his winning goal against Wealdstone proved just that.
The 33-year-old certainly knows his position on the pitch and likes to show off his strikers' instincts in the box, poking home to secure their last win, though his exploits this season have only added to an established track record.
Parker had his most impressive run back in October, where he scored five times for club and country. The forward has made 37 appearances for Antigua & Barbuda and scored for the fifth time for his nation during that spell.
It is meanwhile the fourth time in his career that Parker has gone into double figures for a league season, whilst three goals in his last six have left him three shy of his season best (17) last campaign.
In the dugout
Ross Jenkins has enjoyed a fruitful start to life in management with the 33-year-old in his first role since retirement as a player in 2018. Appointed in March 2022, the Oxford boss made his mark in his first few months at the club.
In such a short span, Jenkins helped guide Oxford to a playoff semi-final in the National League South, and though falling short, the Englishman had renewed optimism that the club could return to the latter stages in the following season.
His first full campaign confirmed the potential his Oxford side showed prior, securing a 3rd place finish before dispatching Worthing and St Alban’s City in ruthless fashion by a combined scoreline of 6-0.
Jenkins’ men meanwhile have struggled to adjust to life in the National League, where a poor season will see Oxford back in the National League South for 24/25, whilst the Oxford manager will have to instil character into his side to see a swift return.
Match Details
The referee will be Sam Mulhall, with assistants Jason Roberts and Grzegorz Kornasiewicz. The fourth official is Samuel Lee.
Match coverage and information
Live audio commentary is available on Latics Player, guiding you through the match.
For more information, visit the Latics Player page by clicking here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC
As this game is being played within the blocked broadcast hours stipulated by UEFA, live streaming will not be available through National League TV for supporters in the UK. The game will be available overseas.
Matchday passes are available for £9.50, with further details here.
As always, we will endeavour to ensure confirmation of the line-up is published as soon as possible.
However, supporters should note that team sheets in the National League are exchanged 15 minutes later than in the EFL and as a result, the line-up is likely to be published slightly later than in previous seasons.
