Pride Park
Saturday 18 April, 12:30pm
With the season reaching its decisive phases, each level is now essential. The U’s hit the street this weekend for a tricky however thrilling take a look at towards promotion-chasing Derby County, hoping to safe the factors that would see them spring out of the underside three.
Ticket Information
Ticket collections can be found on the day from the away ticket assortment level located on the south east aspect nook of the stadium.
Form Guide – Snapshot
- Oxford United: W1 D3 L1 from the earlier 5 video games. After a convincing win towards Watford final weekend, the U’s will consider that in the event that they replicate that degree of efficiency within the remaining 4 video games, then they may have an important probability of reaching their aim. A dominant show and a clear sheet may have happy Matt Bloomfield, who will see this weekend as one other good alternative to point out what the crew is manufactured from.
- Derby County: W3 D0 L2 of their final 5. Derby have been in a great run of type within the final couple of months, profitable 5 of their final eight video games. Last weekend, they fell to defeat away to Southampton however took the lead and performed nicely towards the division’s most in-form outfit, giving them loads of confidence that they might but declare the ultimate play-off spot regardless of being 5 factors behind because it stands.
The Rivalry – A Quick Head-To-Head Check
In reality, United have a reasonably wholesome latest H2H file towards Derby County, profitable two and shedding solely one of many earlier 5 encounters. They are additionally unbeaten of their final two visits to Pride Park, drawing 0-0 final season and profitable 2-1 in August 2023 due to a brace from Mark Harris.
Overall, the Head-to-Head file seems to be like this:
- Oxford United have six wins
- Derby County have seven wins
- There have been 4 attracts
The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost
- Yunus Konak vs Sammie Szmodics: Since becoming a member of the Rams from Ipswich Town in January, Sammie Szmodics has made a direct impression – including objectives and actual high quality in attacking areas. Operating simply behind the striker, he’s a key artistic menace. That might go away Yunus Konak with the duty of limiting his affect. The on-loan Brentford teenager has shortly change into a mainstay in Matt Bloomfield’s aspect, and sustaining his latest degree of efficiency might be important if the Yellows are to maintain their improved defensive file by means of the run-in.
- Carlton Morris vs Ciaron Brown: Former U’s ahead Carlton Morris is Derby County’s main scorer this season and comes into the sport in sturdy type, having discovered the online in his final two outings. The 30-year-old brings a wealth of expertise at this degree and might be central to Derby’s attacking menace. He’s prone to be matched up towards Ciaron Brown, who has impressed within the second half of the marketing campaign. The Northern Ireland centre-back will again himself in what guarantees to be a bodily and intently fought battle.
- Firepower off the bench: Mark Harris’s aim towards Watford final weekend highlighted the energy United now have in depth. The January additions have added actual high quality to the squad, and between now and the tip of the season, that impression from the bench might show decisive.
Team News From Both Camps
For United, there are solely a few minor harm considerations forward of this weekend’s sport. Aidomo Emakhu is each nearing full health and will come again into the squad, whereas Jack Currie is carrying an ankle harm that may require an operation in the summertime, and is unlikely to function except completely wanted.
Unavailable: Tyler Goodrham, Greg Leigh, Brian De Keersmaecker
For the hosts, the key absentee might be within the type of star striker Patrick Agyemang. The USA worldwide, who signed for the Rams for a charge within the area of £6 million final summer season, suffered a severe Achilles Tendon harm of their final dwelling sport towards Stoke City and is predicted to overlook a number of months of motion.
Bobby Clark and Derry Murkin are additionally uncertain and can probably face a late health take a look at to see if they are going to be accessible for Saturday’s sport.
Unavailable: Patrick Agyemang, Zacob Zatterstrom, Callum Elder
Derby Daring To Break Into The Play-Offs
1) This weekend’s fixture is clearly an enormous one for the U’s, however it carries simply as a lot significance for the hosts. Derby County sit 5 factors adrift of the play-off locations and can consider they’ve a real probability of closing the hole. With Hull City, at present sixth, struggling for type in latest weeks, and Derby profitable 5 of their final eight, momentum is on their aspect.
2) The Rams usually arrange in a 4-2-3-1 beneath John Eustace, a realistic but versatile system that may shift right into a again three when required. Their strategy is grounded in sturdy defensive organisation and midfield compactness, with the double pivot defending the again line whereas enabling fast transitions. In possession, they favour a direct fashion and are snug going lengthy, mirrored of their common possession of simply 43.9%, the third-lowest within the Championship.
3) Eustace’s aspect have been prolific in entrance of aim this season, racking up 61 in whole. They’ve been particularly harmful from dead-ball conditions, with 20 objectives coming from set items, the fourth-highest tally within the division.
Lankshear Looking To Hit Double Figures
20-year-old loanee Will Lankshear has continued to point out an actual affinity with Oxford United, and that dedication has been warmly reciprocated by the U’s supporters. His relentless work fee, each on and off the ball, mixed with a rising knack for locating the online, has seen him touted as one of many Club’s most spectacular mortgage signings in latest reminiscence.
He has 10 objectives to his identify to this point, 9 of them within the Championship, and might be keen to achieve double figures within the league earlier than the marketing campaign concludes. With United now creating possibilities extra constantly than they have been earlier within the season, Lankshear might be assured he can ship the objectives wanted to assist safe their place within the division.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Saturday 18 April, 12:30pm at Pride Park.
- Recent type (final 5): Oxford United W1 D3 L1; Derby County: W3 D0 L2.
- Goals: Oxford United have scored 41 objectives this season, Derby County have scored 61.
- Fun Fact: Derby’s nickname “The Rams” comes from a historic native custom of ram combating in Derbyshire.
- Historic classics: Oxford United 1-0 Derby County (18 October 2025); Derby County 1-2 Oxford United (15 August 2023); Oxford United 2-0 Derby County (13 November 1993)
- Played for each groups (Years at Oxford United): Sam Baldock (2022-2023); Jamie Hanson (2018-2022); Trevor Hebberd (1982-1988); Dave Langan (1984-1987); Carlton Morris (2014); Dean Saunders (1987-1988)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (9 objectives); Carlton Morris (12 objectives).
Voices From The Camp:
Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and Mark Harris:
