A local rivalry is revived as Oxford United head for Reading this evening in Sky Bet League 1 (8pm)
It's a rivalry that has rarely featured for 20 years but the fans in the sold out away end have been looking forward to a return to the Royals all season.
TEAM NEWS
Stephan Negru is the latest player to join the injured list. The defender damaged a hamstring in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at Forest Green and will be out for five to six weeks, joining Marcus Browne, Kyle Edwards and Sam Long in the treatment room.
Putting rivalry to one side, midfielder Cameron Brannagan sees tonight's game as a chance for the U's to put things right after defeat at Peterborough on Saturday.
"I hate losing at anything" he told iFollow "and we owe the fans a better performance after Saturday. We were hurt by that performance but we know what we have to do and the only ones who can put it right are the staff and players. When we go over that white line at Reading we will be ready to show what we are really about.
"The fans have been making it clear what the game means to them. I'm not from the area so didn't grow up knowing about it but it means a lot to the supporters and we know there will be 3,000 of them there making plenty of noise and getting behind us. There will be a great atmosphere so we are rubbing our hands and can't wait to get out there and play."
You can see more from Cameron below plus a full interview with Des Buckingham in iFollow right now where you can also watch the whole game LIVE.
THE OPPOSITION
Reading boss Rubén Sellés is well aware of what the game means to both sets of fans
“We know that people will love that game – that’s the feeling with any club in a derby game,” he said.“So we hope that our fans will come along to the stadium, support us, and we will try to give something back.
“We have had a couple of games in that type of environment already and we love it. It will be a pleasure for us – if we can get a better result than we did on Saturday. Oxford have been doing things well this season and they will come here trying to be dominant. We need to be ready for that.
“Our fans have been amazing the entire season, supporting us on and off the pitch throughout our situations and our results. We keep working and keep going forward.”
YELLOWS
United will be wearing their yellow home kit. Get yours for Christmas HERE
TICKETS
Our entire allocation of just over 2.900 tickets for the away area is sold out and none will be available on the night.
London Road Club
Tickets for coach travel to the game remain available with the London Road Club
Coaches will depart from the Kassam Stadium at 17:15pm prompt.
Prices
| LRC Adult Member | £17 |
| LRC Under 18 Member | £15 |
| Adult non member | £20 |
| Under 18 non member | £18 |
Visit oufctickets.co.uk or call 01865 337533 to book your place on the coach.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult and no alcohol is permitted on the coaches.
THE RECORD
There have been 19 Oxford wins to Reading’s 16, with just two draws in the 37 previous meetings. The last two games, the only times Reading have played at the Kassam Stadium, have been in in the League Cup with the last game at Reading back in October 2000 when Reading won a dramatic game 4-3 - an own goal, Jon Richardson and Derek Lilley on the scoresheet for the U's.
COVERAGE
Tickets may have sold out but you can still see the game live in iFollow in the UK and overseas with full commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport. CLICK HERE to buy your match pass.
Follow the game on @OUFCOfficial on X and we will have a full report and gallery right here on the final whistle.
