Ryan Porteous is into the book for Watford and that's his sixth yellow card of the season, having just returned from a one-match ban.

Porteous clips the heels of Tyler Goodrham as the Oxford midfielder tries to break forward and it's a pretty blatant caution.

The free-kick comes to nothing.

Decent first half hour, Oxford fans?

You must be absolutely buzzing with how the past 12 months has gone.

Reckon you can stay in the Championship after the steady-ish start you've made?

Looks very congested in that bottom half....

Watford find a bit of space on the left but Peter Kioso is across well to block the cross. The corner comes in under the bar but Jamie Cumming punches away.

It drops to Imran Louza on the edge but his effort is deflected, loops up and falls comfortably into the arms of Cumming.

The closest Watford have come so far but it's adjudged to be offside against Kwadwo Baah.

He goes through and gets on the end of a clipped ball forward but can only divert it over the bar.

It looked to be well onside, but he was unable to finish and the flag went up so it matters not.

Ben Purkiss
BBC Radio Oxford pundit and former U’s defender

There's certainly not been a lack of belief so far.

There's been a lot of confidence so far, and between both the managers I think Des will be more impressed.

Oxford are doing their bit to try and get that first Championship away win of the campaign - and for 25 years for that matter.

Watford certainly aren't having things all their own way in the opening half-an-hour and are struggling to create too much.

The U's look tidy coming forward too. Evenly poised at the moment.

Image source, PA Media

On the subject of memories being evoked, these two sides last met on this ground in 1998-99 and it ended 2-0 to Watford.

You also have to go back 25 years for the last time Oxford won an away game in the second tier of English football.

That was on 26 March 1999 away at Sheffield United for those wondering and ended 2-1.

Ruben Rodrigues throws himself to ground on the right edge of the Watford area and is asking for a penalty. Not enough in that.

I make that 1-1 so far on players dramatically going down in hope of a decision.

Just the one shot in the opening 22 minutes and that was a wayward effort from distance by Oxford's Greg Leigh.

A reminder that Watford are the most entertaining side in the Championship with 44 goals in their 14 games before tonight.

Surely only a matter of time before the deadlock is broken then...

Image source, Getty Images

Oxford's away kit evoking memories of Preston's home shirt from about 15-20 years ago, you kit afocionados??

Hit the thumbs if you're with us.

Image source, PA Media

Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

Oxford are definitely being more defensively minded.

The philosophy of Oxford has allowed it to be cagey in the opening twenty.

I think they will try and hit Watford on the counter.

Mattie Pollock jogs off and Oxford have a very brief moment of 11v10. They launch a throw-in towards the box but it goes out for a goal-kick.

Pollock is now back on the field and looks to be okay.

It must be said, Watford haven't done a huge amount with their 73% possession so far, which is a credit to Oxford.

Mattie Pollock is still receiving attention from the medical staff.

This game is starting to form a bit of a pattern... Watford are seeing plenty of the ball and Oxford are staying compact.

Des Buckingham looks to have set up his side to try and play on the break.

And now Mattie Pollock has gone down for the hosts. Looks like he landed awkwardly.

Watford's Kwadwo Baah twists Greg Leigh inside and out on the right-hand side and tries to go by him but throws himself to the ground in dramatic fashion.

The ref isn't buying that one...

Imran Louza tries to thread a cute through ball between the Oxford defence for Watford but it's intercepted well. A cross comes in and Sam Long is there to clear.

The Hornets are just trying to put a bit of pressure on Oxford with some sustained possession.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Cumming is fixed up and ready to continue. On we go again.

Oxford keeper Jamie Cumming comes out to collect a ball on the far edge of his penalty area but he's clattered into by Kwadwo Baah and goes to ground.

Cumming is just down getting some treatment.

Ben Purkiss
BBC Radio Oxford pundit and former U’s defender

It's good to see the ambition from Oxford with both wing-backs very high.

Scarlett will need to hold it up tonight to get the team up.

The teams going to have to be on their mettle this evening.

Both sides are just feeling each other out in these opening stages. First a decent spell of possession for the visitors before Watford get their foot on the ball.

Oxford then win it back and work it well to Greg Leigh on the left and he hits an ambitious effort high and wide.