What the Stats Say...Port Vale

So this is the big one. Everything is riding on this weekend's clash with Port Vale – fail to win and our season is over; even a win won't be enough if Aldershot fail to get anything from Crewe (who are currently unbeaten in 15 games). And yet there's still that chance. Here's Matt Peck to preview the match that will decide our fate.

What the Stats Say...Southend

No question about it, we need to win this one. Southend are the final visitors to the Kassam in the regular season and while failure to win could mean the end of our playoff hopes, the Shrimpers also need victory to maintain their hopes of automatic promotion. Matt Peck has been trawling (no pun intended) the archives to bring you the stats ahead of the game.

What the Stats Say...Plymouth

Matt Peck returns to these pages to preview our trip to Plymouth Argyle in what could well be an incredibly important match at this late stage in the season. With playoff rivals Crewe and Cheltenham facing off today, we know that at least one of them will drop points, so this is our chance to capitalise. However, Home Park has not historically been a happy hunting ground...

What the Stats Say...Wimbledon

The games are coming thick and fast now, with AFC Wimbledon the next visitors to Grenoble Road. Will Jack Midson return to take revenge for being released in the summer, or will he be contained as easily as on Boxing Day? Here is Matt Peck to examine the stats between the two sides.

What the Stats Say...Rotherham

A major test for Oxford this week, with Andy Scott's Rotherham United visiting the Kassam Stadium, looking to peg the Yellows back in the race for the playoffs. It's another important fixture for Oxford, as we enter the final stages of the season. Matt Peck gives us the lowdown on a fixture that could turn out to be pivotal to our season. Don't forget, this is also the Game for Charlotte, raising money for Special Effect and 4-year-old Charlotte Nott by auctioning off special edition matchworn shirts. The bidding has now begun, so please give generously, it's for a very good cause!

What the Stats Say...Bradford

Oxford make the trip up to Valley Parade this weekend for the first time since last season’s drubbing. Fortunately we go there in good form, though Bradford will also be a stronger proposition than they were when they visited the Kassam back in August, when they claimed a 1-1 draw. Here’s Matt Peck with the stats.

What the Stats Say...Swindon

It's 'the big one' this weekend, with the visit of Swindon Town to the Kassam and it couldn't have come at a worse time. While United have been grinding through tight games against lowly opposition, Swindon have been sweeping all before them and are currently on a record-breaking run of 10 victories on the bounce. Matt Peck brings us the stats and, I have to say, it looks ominous...

What the Stats Say...Macclesfield

Having previously bemoaned the fact that we always seem to play sides when they're out of form,along come a woefully out of form Macclesfield to prove me wrong. With Oxford marooned in seventh place, six points behind Torquay and five points ahead of Port Vale, this match must be seen as a good chance to get points on the board. And yet, this being Oxford, we all know it won't be that straightforward. Here's Matt Peck with the stats on a fixture that has become rather a regular occurrence in the last decade.

What the Stats Say...Barnet

As seems to have been the case all season with our opponents, it is an in-form Barnet who make the relatively short trip to Oxford for this rearranged game, as well as a return for former player Sam Deering. Matt Peck looks over the stats ahead of the match.

What the Stats Say...Bristol Rovers

Our next test is a tricky away tie against an in-form Bristol Rovers. Bristol Rovers have had a poor season so far, but have picked up considerably following the dismissal of Paul Buckle and the appointment of Mark McGhee. With the final playoff place on the line, Oxford will be hoping to push on from Tuesday's stuttering win over Dagenham, while Rovers are hoping to mount a late charge to sneak into that final place. Here's Matt Peck with the stats.

What the Stats Say...Burton

We make the trip to Burton Albion this week on a Sunday, due to the home side sharing stewards with Derby, who were at home to Stoke in the FA Cup on Saturday. With our league rivals all playing on Saturday we know that a win will move us back into seventh place, above Accrington who beat Gillingham 4-3 to move one point ahead of us. Matt Peck (whose first match piece can be found here) has been digging through the stats to bring you this look ahead to the match.

What the Stats Say...Hereford

Though this weekend's visit of Hereford United has been overshadowed somewhat by the James Constable transfer saga, this match is by far the more pressing matter as we seek to correct the mistakes of last weekend. Once again, Matt Peck's excellent statistical analysis is enlightening, revealing the tough challenge that Hereford will pose.

What the Stats Say...Aldershot

Oxford face Aldershot this weekend and, as Matt Peck reveals, this match sees an Oxford side that have begun to re-find their form who will be facing off against an Aldershot who are in the midst of a poor run. The two sides have already met twice this season, Oxford recording a 2-1 victory at the Rec in the JPT, and Oxford fans will be hoping for a repeat performance this time out.

What the Stats Say...Crawley

Table-toppers Crawley are the first to visit the Kassam in 2012, their first visit in the Football League. Matt Peck looks over the stats once again, examining each side's respective record and comparing our progress this season with our record at the same point last year.

What the Stats Say...Torquay

Expect goals and cards galore on the South coast, as Oxford make the trip to Plainmoor to face Torquay United this weekend, in a fixture that has produced regular goalfests. Matt Peck compares the respective records of the division's least disciplined sides.

What the Stats Say...Wimbledon

Oxford make a Boxing Day trip to Kingsmeadow to face AFC Wimbledon in the Football League for the first time. The original Wimbledon were familiar opponents before their defection to Milton Keynes, but this will just be United's second trip to the newly-formed phoenix club. Wimbledon are currently enjoying their first season back in the Football League, but have struggled of late, as Matt Peck reveals.

What the Stats Say...Northampton

Strugglers Northampton Town are the next visitors to the Kassam, and with new manager Aidy Boothroyd at the helm they may be confident of getting a result against an out of form Us side. However, as Matt Peck reveals, the stats show that they will have a tough task on their hands, as Oxford seek to banish memories of our last home match, which ended in defeat to Cheltenham Town.

What the Stats Say...Morecambe

United return to action after what feels like an eternity, having had spent the previous weekend watching other teams play in the second round of the FA Cup. Morecambe is the destination this weekend, a place where we have fared well on our few visits. Matt Peck mulls over previous encounters, examines each side's poor recent form and also compares disciplinary records.

What the Stats Say...Cheltenham

This weekend sees Cheltenham make the short trip down the A40 to contest the 'Cotswold Derby' (apparently) and look likely to bring a large following...for Cheltenham, anyway. Matt Peck is on hand to examine the relatively short Football League history between the two sides and to compare Cheltenham's frighteningly impressive form to our own.

What the Stats Say...Crawley

Following a terrible week which saw Oxford lose to Southend twice and then get dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United, the tough prospect of a trip to second-placed Crawley now beckons. However, this week's events (i.e. the return of Robert Hall) mean that the mood amongst Oxford fans is surprisingly upbeat. That optimism will be further buoyed by a quick read of Matt Peck's latest stats package, which reveals Oxford's impressive record at the Broadfield Stadium.