Oxford United could secure mathematical safety when they face Sunderland in Saturday's Championship clash at the Kassam Stadium.
Meanwhile, fourth-placed Sunderland will be desperate to end a four-game winless run as they look to build momentum ahead of the playoffs.
Match preview
© Imago
After winning just one of their last four matches, Oxford still have work to do if they are to avoid an immediate return to League One.
The U's followed a 3-1 defeat against Queens Park Rangers with a narrow win over Sheffield Wednesday, before they were beaten 1-0 in their most recent home outing against Leeds United.
Oxford at least managed to avoid back-to-back defeats in Monday's away clash against relegation rivals Cardiff City, as Cameron Brannagan netted a 79th-minute equaliser to cancel out Yousef Salech's opener.
After taking their tally to 49 points from 44 matches, the U's are sitting in 19th position and three points above the drop zone with two matches left to play against Sunderland and Swansea.
Oxford know that a win or a draw on Saturday could be enough to secure safety if results elsewhere go in their favour, but that will be easier said than done, given the fact that they have lost four of their previous six home games, including their last two outings at the Kassam Stadium.
The hosts will also be concerned that they have not won any of their previous 13 league meetings with Sunderland since they recorded a 3-2 away victory in April 1994.
© Imago
Sunderland are guaranteed to finish the season in fourth position after racking up 76 points from their 44 Championship matches.
As a result, they have secured a home second leg for their tie against the team that finishes in fifth position, but Regis Le Bris will be concerned that his team are at risk of entering the playoffs in poor form after taking just one point from their previous four matches.
The Black Cats played out a goalless draw with Norwich, before they lost 1-0 at home to Swansea and 2-1 away to possible playoff opponents Bristol City.
Sunderland slumped to another narrow loss in Monday's meeting with Blackburn Rovers, failing to score for the third time in four matches as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light.
After losing three league games in a row for the first time this term, the Black Cats will be keen to finish the season with wins in their final two matches against Oxford and QPR as they try to build confidence ahead of their second Championship playoff campaign in three seasons.
They have at least won five of their previous six meetings with the U's, including a 2-0 home victory in October's reverse fixture thanks to goals from Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor.
Team News
© Imago
Oxford boss Gary Rowett is without Ciaron Brown and Siriki Dembele for the final two matches due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Defender Hidde ter Avest will hope to prove his fitness in time for the weekend after missing the last three matches through injury.
Sam Long should return to the lineup after missing the draw with Cardiff following the birth of his child, while Mark Harris is in contention to replace Tom Bradshaw up front.
As for the visitors, Eliezer Mayenda will sit out Saturday's clash due to concussion protocols, while Niall Huggins and Ian Poveda remain unavailable for selection.
Dennis Cirkin and Jenson Seelt should be okay to feature in the matchday squad, although Dan Ballard will not be ready until the meeting with QPR on the final day of the season.
Aji Alese and Romaine Mundle are hoping to prove their fitness in time for the playoffs after spending time on the sidelines with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Full-back Trai Hume has completed his one-match suspension and should return to the side to marshal the right side of defence.
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Long, Helik, Nelson, Bennett; Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Matos, Goodrham; Harris
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Anderson; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Le Fee, Watson; Isidor
We say: Oxford United 1-2 Sunderland
Sunderland may be experiencing a poor run of form, but they tend to fare well in meetings with Oxford, having won five of their previous six head-to-head matches.
With that in mind, we think that the Black Cats will squeeze past the U's to bring an end to their four-game winless run.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
