OXFORD United will be in the promotion race next season, according to Cambridge United manager Richard Money.

The two sides meet at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow in the bottom half of the Sky Bet League Two table.

While survival was the priority this season for Cambridge after nine years spent in the Conference, both sides will be looking to improve for the next campaign.

And Money, whose side won the reverse fixture 5-1 in October, has tipped Michael Appleton’s men to be at the sharp end in 12 months’ time.

He told Cambridge News: “They’ve been in and around it (the relegation zone) for most of the season, but Michael (Appleton) has been very clear they wouldn’t be in it at the end and they’re not.

“At this end of the season it looks as though he’s put a decent group together and they’re finishing strongly.

“I think they’ll be a very strong candidate next year.”

With neither side under pressure, Money is hoping tomorrow’s contest will see two teams playing with freedom.

He said: “It’s the type of game you probably want this Saturday.

“We’ve had enough of the games against the teams that have been struggling as well as they’ve been difficult to play in, and this might be an opportunity for two good football teams to go and play."