OXFORD United’s cup exploits last season will give them belief they can claim another scalp tonight, according to Anthony Forde.

Watford visit the Kassam Stadium (7pm) for a Carabao Cup second-round tie less than eight weeks after they were playing in the Premier League.

The Hornets, now managed by Vladimir Ivic, are among the favourites to win the Championship this season and started with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Friday.

Both sides are expected to make plenty of changes and United fancy their chances of springing a surprise.

Karl Robinson’s side played four top-flight sides in cup competitions last season and Forde thinks that experience will be a factor tonight.

He said: “Looking back, you think ‘we’ve done it before, why can’t we do it again?’

“I know Watford have just come down from the Premier League, but if you look at last season we beat the likes of West Ham.

“You should try to be consistent in every game, but when you play the top teams you do try to show they’re not that much better or there’s not a massive difference.

“It showed last year, we had some really good performances against the big teams.”

The winners will be favourites to go on and reach the last 16, with a trip to Cambridge United or Newport County the reward.

But Robinson played down his side’s chances, saying: “They should come here and steamroller us.

“They’re a Premier League outfit with Premier League players right across the board.

“It shouldn’t be a game where we get anywhere near them, but we feel we can compete and give them the best game possible.”

Joel Cooper is among the players likely to come into the starting line-up.

The summer signing from Linfield was only on the bench for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener against Lincoln City.

He came on in the 2-0 defeat, having missed the first two U’s games while on international duty – and the draw made waves in the Northern Ireland squad.

Cooper said: “Craig Cathcart plays for Watford and I had a good chat with in the international squad.

“He was giving me a wee bit of banter about it, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m excited to test myself against the best players I can.

“It will be a tough game and on a personal note it’s not what I’m used to, but I’m excited at the prospect of showing what I can do.”