Derby's hopes of a Championship play-off push took a knock last time out after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Southampton.
The Rams sit two places and five points adrift of the top six and a positive result on Saturday could keep their play-off hopes alive.
Oxford ended a four-game winless run when they picked up a vital three points against Watford last Saturday.
The U's remain in the bottom three despite that win and are two points off Championship safety.
Derby have failed to score in their past two league games against Oxford, only once going three without a goal against them (between 1987 and 1991).
In what is the ninth different league campaign in which the two sides have met, Oxford are looking to complete the double over Derby for the first time.
Derby have won their past five home league matches, last having a longer run between March and September 2024 (9).
Oxford have won four of their past eight league games (D3 L1), more wins than they managed in their previous 22 Championship matches combined (3).
Carlton Morris has scored 12 league goals for Derby this season – the last player to net more in a single Championship campaign for the club was Harry Wilson in 2018-19 (16 – incl. play-offs).
