Leeds United may be pretty good – the best team in the Championship, if you buy into the ‘table never lies’ theory – but Daniel Farke’s league leaders are not unbeatable.
Yes, The Whites have only been on the losing side four times in their 42 league matches thus far.
But if Portsmouth can defeat Leeds United on their home ground, why can Gary Rowett’s in-form Oxford not do the same?
Daniel Farke is certainly not taking Oxford lightly. An imploding Sheffield United began a potentially season-ruining run of three successive defeats at the Kassam Stadium, after all.
And as Will Vaulks channelled his inner-Rory Delap – Farke quips that the Oxford midfielder can throw the ball further than most of his players can kick it – Leeds’ backline will be tested by the height and physicality of a U’s side desperate to extend the five-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham using Portsmouth example ahead of Leeds United test
Underdogs they may be, but how many times have we seen a title-chasing side head to a team at the other end of the table, one fired up and inspired by a feverish atmosphere, and fall flat?
Josh Murphy inspired Portsmouth to a stunning win over Leeds five weeks ago. Now, Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham, another wideman with an eye for the spectacular, is hoping to take a leaf out of Murphy’s playbook.
“They’re a really good side,” Goordrham says. “They get loads of bodies forward, and they’re very aggressive and front-footed. But we also know they can be beaten.
“You see Pompey beat them, and other teams [Burnley, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers], so they’re definitely there for the taking. It’s just a matter of us stepping up and taking that opportunity.”
Oxford confident as Daniel Farke hopes for Dan James return
‘There for the taking’ is maybe a step too far – only Burnley have lost fewer games this term, after all – but nothing is ever impossible in a league where, as things stand, all 24 teams can either be promoted or relegated with only four matchdays remaining.
“It’s always nice to play the big teams and play on the big occasions,” Goodrham adds ahead of this weekend’s Easter double header. I definitely think Friday night under the lights is a big occasion.
“Just to be able to go out there and do it for ourselves, and for the fans, is the main thing.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 82 | 29 | 53 | 88 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 42 | 24 | 16 | 2 | 57 | 13 | 44 | 88 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 42 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 57 | 33 | 24 | 83 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 42 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 57 | 38 | 19 | 76 |
“The size of Leeds and Sheffield United, both massive clubs. They’ve been in the Premier League, but we just focus on ourselves. We know that we can do it. We know what we can do, and [beating] Sheffield United proves that.
“Anyone can beat anyone in this league. We know that. Some of the results this year have been mental, but we know we have the ability and the capability of beating a team like Leeds and giving the fans something to cheer about.”
While Daniel Farke was full of praise for Karl Darlow’s impact in midweek – the goalkeeper’s command of his penalty area will be key against a set-piece-loving Oxford outfit – the manager also confirms that Dan James could return for Leeds at the Kassam Stadium.
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