Oxford United will relish their role of underdogs for a change in Tuesday night’s potential title decider at Stevenage Borough.

Graham Westley’s team, unbeaten at home for more than a year, and five points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier, are firm favourites.

But second-placed Oxford were lifted by Saturday’s 2-1 win over Gateshead, and they believe they can upset the odds at the newly-named Lamex Stadium, formerly known as Broadhall Way.

“People will probably write us off, but the win on Saturday gets us going and moves us forward,” said U’s boss Chris Wilder. “And maybe we’ve still got a say in this title race.

“I’m sure we’re more than a match for Stevenage. Everywhere we’ve gone in this league, we’ve been a difficult team to play against, apart possibly for one or two games, and we’ve got to make sure we show all of those qualities.”

Chris Hargreaves returns to midfield, with Jamie Cook or Lewis Chalmers, or both, likely to drop out if United go back to the 4-4-2 they played at Rushden & Diamonds.

Adam Chapman continues at right back, with Damian Batt completing his two-game ban.

Alfie Potter, who scored when United beat Stevenage 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium this season, is likely to be on the bench again.

Wilder admitted last week that his team would probably have to produce a special result to take the title, and win automatic promotion.

“If you’re going to win stuff, you know there are times when you’re going to have to pull a big performance and a big result out of the bag.

“I’m certainly looking forward to it,” he said. “And it isn’t anything to do with bravado, or spin, or trying to tell people who have heard this before.

“I get up and I’ve got a buzz about me, and hopefully the players have got the same.

“We’ve done great and been at the top, but we’re up against it a little bit now and it’s time now for people to show what they’re about by putting performances in, and I’m genuinely looking forward to taking charge of a team that I believe can win this league.

“I’ve had to fight for everything that I’ve tried to achieve and I’m going to have to fight for this now, and fight like hell, and the players are going to have to if they’re going to achieve.”

Stevenage have won their last seven league games, but now face demanding back-to-back matches against second-placed Oxford and third-placed Luton.

U’s skipper James Constable said: “I’m excited about the game personally,” he said. “There’s no pressure really, they’re top and we’ve just got to go and enjoy it.”

Stevenage Boro: (from) Day, Laird, Henry, Ashton, Roberts, Cole, Drury, Bridges, Bostwick, Odubade, Sills, Bayes, Griffin, Byrom, Long, Beardsley, Albrighton.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Chapman, Day, Wright, Tonkin, Deering, Bulman, Hargreaves, Clist, Constable, Grant, Turley, Potter, Creighton, M Green, F Green, Chalmers, Cook, Midson.