High-flying County look too good for minnows Oxford City

FA Cup second round
BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday

Oxford City produced one of the shocks of the FA Cup first round when they knocked out Sky Bet League Two Colchester but they face an even tougher task against Notts County in their bid to seal a potentially huge third-round tie.

City have their share of financial problems which have already been helped by a run to this stage but a chance to draw a Premier League team would be massive for the National League South minnows.

But Kevin Nolan's Magpies are flying high in League Two and it's hard to see another shock happening with the hosts priced up at short odds, and for good reason given their record at Meadow Lane this season.

County have lost just one game at home this term, and that came in the Football League Trophy. As a result they are second in the table, level on points with Luton and five clear of the playoff places. They have won four in a row at home, scoring 12, including four when beating League One Bristol Rovers in the first round of this competition.

Mark Jones's City are languishing towards the bottom of the National League South and look braced for a relegation battle.

It's probably worth expecting County, who have created plenty of scoring chances in their recent successes, to make their class count sooner rather than later.

Recommendation
Notts County-Notts County double result
2pt 4-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Notts County
Kevin Nolan is sweating on the fitness of strikers Shola Ameobi (groin) and Jon Stead (thigh) with both declared doubtful.

Oxford City
City captain Lee Henderson (calf) is hoping to be fit while loanee Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain is allowed to play in the competition for the first time this season.

Key stat
Notts County have lost just once at home this season (in the Football League Trophy).

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