MICHAEL Appleton believes today’s clash between Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers has all the ingredients to be a Good Friday cracker.

More than 1,600 U’s fans will make the short trip down the M40, hoping their side can win for the third successive season at Adams Park.

Both sides need points for different reasons at opposite ends of the Sky Bet League Two table.

And Appleton is hopeful the action on the pitch will match what is always a good atmosphere.

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The U’s boss said: “They’re a dangerous side and score goals.

“Early on in the season they didn’t concede many, but of late I think five of the last seven or eight games they’ve conceded two goals.

“That’s something we’re aware of and will try to work on.

“The way we’ve gone about our business away from home we have felt really confident.

“We have a bit of pace in the team now where we can hurt teams.

“We’re going into it really confident.

“They will be as well because of where they are, but make no mistake, it’s a game that could potentially be a cracker.”

The contest may be closely fought on the pitch, but the table shows a 28-point gulf between the sides.

Wycombe, who stayed up on goal difference last season, have enjoyed a fantastic season as the U’s have struggled.

It is the sort of reaction Appleton will be aiming to achieve next season and the head coach felt it showed the value of getting your squad organised as quickly as possible.

He said: “They did their business very early and got a lot of players in.

“From day one they had a small group and they swore to themselves it will never happen again.

“That’s created a real unity within the club and the team.

“ I want to make sure first and foremost our business is done by the first day of pre-season.

“Definitely they’re a great example for anyone else in the division who has a poor season and want to make sure they improve on that.”

Alex MacDonald (suspended) is the only player ruled out for the U’s, who have a variety of options up front.

Wycombe, whose lofty position owes more to an impeccable away record rather than patchy home results, have no new fitness problems.

Max Kretzschmar (thigh) and Sido Jombati (ankle) have long-term injuries, while Danny Rowe’s loan was been cut short by parent club Rotherham United yesterday.

TODAY’S TEAMS

Wycombe Wanderers: from Ingram, Yennaris, Mawson, Pierre, Jacobson, Saunders, Bean, Bloomfield, Wood, Hayes, Onyedinma, McClure, Holloway, Craig, Fletcher, Ephraim, Murphy, Lynch.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Baldock, Wright, Mullins, Skarz, Roofe, Collins, Rose, O’Dowda, Hylton, Hoban, Vassell, Roberts, Ruffels, Whing, Dunkley, Long, Ashdown.

  • DUE to the Easter fixtures, Michael Appleton’s Oxford Mail column will return on Saturday, April 11.