Bet365 Stadium
Wednesday 25 February, 8:00pm
Matt Bloomfield’s staff are again on the highway for the second time in just some days as they appear to again up the purpose picked up towards Middlesbrough on Saturday with one other constructive end result towards Stoke City on Wednesday evening.
Tickets
Tickets will solely stay out there till 10:00am on the day of the match and might be no gross sales on the Bet365 Stadium.
All tickets for this match are digital.
Form Guide – Snapshot
- Oxford United: W0 D2 L3 from the earlier 5 video games. Not for the primary time this season, United confirmed they’ll greater than match the Championship’s high sides in Saturday’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough. Goals have been onerous to come back by in current weeks, but when they’ll replicate that stage of efficiency and add a sharper edge in entrance of aim, three factors might be a really life like goal on this one.
- Stoke City: W0 D3 L2 of their final 5. Without a league win since 4 January, Stoke City will see this sport towards a staff within the backside three as an opportunity to show their fortunes round. The Potters wish to recapture the shape they confirmed within the first half of the season which noticed them sat within the high 4 in December.
The Rivalry – A Quick Head-to-Head Check
Stoke City made the journey to the Kassam Stadium in early November for the primary assembly between the edges this season and left with all three factors after a 3-0 win. A brace from Lewis Baker, together with a aim from Steven N’Zonzi, sealed victory for the Potters throughout a interval once they had been in red-hot type, climbing the Championship desk and enjoying with actual confidence.
Encounters between the 2 golf equipment have been comparatively uncommon lately. There have been simply three conferences within the final 25 years: Stoke’s November victory, a 1-0 win for United in September 2024, and a goalless draw on the Bet365 Stadium in January 2025.
Overall, the edges have met 22 occasions, with the Yellows recording 9 wins and 7 attracts throughout these fixtures.
The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost
- Looking energetic down the flanks: Since making his debut just some weeks in the past, Jin Woo Jeon has already caught the attention together with his tempo and shut management on the wing, including a recent dimension to United’s assault. Alongside him, Stanley Mills’ direct operating and eagerness to tackle his opposing full-back usually drive him to the byline, the place he persistently delivers harmful crosses. With real threats now established on each flanks, the Yellows will look to commit extra our bodies into the field to make sure their huge play is correctly capitalised on.
- Midfield battle: When Stoke visited the Kassam in November, they asserted clear management in midfield, with Steven N’Zonzi, Tatsuki Seko and Lewis Baker dictating the tempo with relative ease. If the U’s are to take a end result on Wednesday evening, they’ll have to be much more compact in the course of the pitch and higher at closing passing lanes, stopping the ball from being performed by their midfield line as regularly because it was in OX4.
- Jamie Donley vs Jun-Ho Bae: This contest might hinge on the battle between the 2 quantity 10s. Jamie Donley has proven encouraging flashes of high quality since returning to the aspect and might be hoping these performances have earned him a spot within the beginning XI after that includes from the bench towards Middlesbrough. Still trying to find his first aim in Yellow, he might show a key artistic affect towards his former membership. For the Potters, the function is prone to be crammed by South Korean worldwide Jun-Ho Bae. The 22-year-old is a energetic and technically gifted operator, blessed with fast ft and a continuing need to drive ahead with the ball and commit defenders.
Team News From Both Camps
The fundamental concern for Matt Bloomfield heading into this fixture surrounds Jamie McDonnell’s health. The Northern Ireland worldwide was in excellent type at Middlesbrough on Saturday earlier than being pressured off simply after the hour mark with an ankle damage. He is now a doubt for this conflict, as is Brodie Spencer.
Unavailable: Tyler Goodrham, Hidde ter Avest, Greg Leigh
For the hosts, there are not any new damage considerations following their weekend conflict with Leicester City, though their squad has been stretched for a lot of the 12 months by a lot of key absences. First-choice goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has been sidelined since late December with a shoulder damage, whereas attacking choices Sam Gallagher and Róbert Boženík have additionally spent the vast majority of 2026 on the therapy desk.
England Under-21 ahead Divin Mubama has likewise missed many of the calendar 12 months and is unlikely to return in time for this fixture. Lewis Baker, who scored twice on the Kassam in November, has not featured since Stoke’s assembly with Coventry the next week and can be anticipated to stay unavailable.
Unavailable: Viktor Johannson, Sam Gallagher, Robert Bozenik, Divin Mubama, Lewis Baker, Ato Ampah, Gavin Bazunu, Junior Tchamadeu
Mark Robins’ Stoke City: The Analysis
1) Stoke City had been sat within the high 4 firstly of December having gained 9 and misplaced simply six of their opening 18 video games of the season. Playing on the entrance foot and an assault firing on all cylinders, The Potters had been wanting like they had been comfortably heading in the direction of the play-off spots on the very least. Three months on, the staff sit sixteenth within the desk and 7 factors again from these play-off positions.
2) Injuries to key gamers has severely hampered the groups progress in current weeks, with as much as 9 common starters unavailable for the reason that begin of 2026. As a end result, the staff have scored simply 4 targets of their previous seven Championship fixtures and haven’t regarded the identical aspect that gained so convincingly on the Kassam Stadium earlier this season.
3) Under Mark Robins, Stoke City have mostly working in a 4-2-3-1 form with an emphasis on stability and organisation. When at their best possible, they’re comfy constructing from deep and holding possession, averaging strong ball retention and move accuracy, whereas prioritising defensive compactness and form out of possession. Robins’ aspect are typically disciplined and troublesome to interrupt down, demonstrated by the very fact they’ve conceded the bottom variety of targets of any staff within the Championship this season (31).
4) At the Bet365 Stadium this season, Stoke City have gained six, misplaced six and drawn 4 and are with out a league win at house since they beat Swansea City on 13 December.
Jamie Cumming: United’s Last Line of Defence
The Yellows’ Number One produced a sensational Player of the Match efficiency away to Middlesbrough on the weekend to make sure back-to-back clear sheets away from house towards the present high two groups within the division.
This season Cumming has been a key determine between the sticks for Oxford United, displaying each resilience and shot-stopping potential in a difficult Championship marketing campaign. As the membership’s first-choice goalkeeper, he’s made a excessive quantity of saves and performed nearly each minute, typically holding Oxford in video games with vital stops. There have been moments of inconsistency, however total he’s demonstrated sturdy character and saved the staff aggressive, particularly in troublesome matches as confirmed at Coventry and Boro in current weeks. His performances have been praised for composure and reliability, and he’s clearly established himself as a pivotal presence on the again for the Yellows this season.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Wednesday 25 February, 8:00pm on the Bet365 Stadium.
- Recent type (final 5): Oxford United W0 D2 L3; Stoke City: W0 D3 L2.
- Goals: Oxford United have scored 28 targets this season, Stoke City have scored 36.
- Fun Fact: Stoke City’s well-known pink and white striped equipment has been a long-standing id, incomes them the nickname “The Potters,” a nod to Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery heritage.
- Historic classics: Oxford United 1-0 Stoke City (14 September 2024); Oxford United 5-1 Stoke City (14 March 1998); Oxford United 3-2 Stoke City (18 April 1989)
- Played for each groups (Years at Oxford United): Jamie Donley (2026-present); John Dreyer (1985-1988); Michael Duberry (2011-2013); Phil Heath (1988-1990); Dave Kitson (2013-2014); Luke McNally (2021-2022); Tommy Mooney (2004-2005); David Oldfield (2002-2004); Mark Stein (1989-1991); Dean Whitehead (1999-2004)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (6 targets); Sorba Thomas (9 targets).
Voices From The Camp:
Watch Matt Bloomfield and Will Vaulks’ Press Conferences right here:
