WHEN it comes to reasons Oxford United have been successful in recent derby clashes, a key factor has been discipline.

If the home side are to continue their fine run, finishing Saturday’s game with 11 men on the pitch will be pivotal.

The rivalry has regularly spilled over into dismissals, with six red cards in the last half-dozen meetings.

Five of those were for Swindon Town players, while goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux had the unwanted record of being sent off in both league games during the 2016/17 season.

Also read: Oxford United's team news ahead of Swindon Town derby

United have also finished the derby with nine men before, Dean Whitehead and Matt Murphy seeing red in a 2-0 defeat at the Manor Ground in 2001.

While the game being played behind closed doors may take away some of the ferocity which accompanies the games, U’s defender Josh Ruffels believes it will still be a test for players’ self-control.

He said: “I still think there will be that atmosphere (on the pitch).

“We all know how tempers can fly.

“I don’t think there have been 22 men on the pitch at the end in the last few games, so we know that’s important.

“We’ll have that drilled into us before the game.”