Find out everything you need to know ahead of Oxford United's trip to Barnet.
WHEN AND WHERE
Oxford United travel to League Two side Barnet for the second game of pre-season, following Tuesday night's 3-1 victory away to Aldershot Town.
The match takes place at The Hive London on Saturday 25 July, with the fixture kicking off at 3:00pm.
There is no streaming available for this fixture.
You can keep up to date with the action with live updates via the Official Oxford United App, as well as the key moments on X: @OUFCOfficial.
GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS
Barnet will be playing in League Two in 2026/27, having narrowly missed out on the play-off positions last season. Their eighth place finish meant they finished just two points short of the play-off spots, but the season was seen as a success and their is hope that the team will make that next step of pushing for promotion.
Based in North London and affectionately known as "The Bees", Barnet Football Club has a proud heritage dating back to its founding in 1888. Since 2013, the club has called The Hive Stadium home, where it continues to welcome supporters for every home fixture.
Four-time National League champions, Barnet most recently secured the title in record-breaking fashion during the 2024/25 season, surpassing the 100-point mark. Back in the Football League, the club's ambition is clear: to re-establish itself and build a successful, long-term future in the EFL.
Saturday's hosts will be lead by Manager Dean Brennan. Since taking charge in 2021, Brennan has transformed Barnet into one of the National League's standout success stories. Under his leadership, the Bees have developed an exciting, attacking style of football, built a strong team culture and consistently challenged at the top of the table, leading to that record-breaking National League title in 2024/25. Brennan's ambition, passion and commitment have helped re-establish Barnet as an ambitious club with its sights firmly set on continued success.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
Aaron Ramsey's first game in charge as Oxford United Head Coach saw the team defeat Aldershot Town 3-1 in midweek. Having fallen behind early in the game, Ramsey's side, which consisted of several youth players, turned the game around a secured victory through goals from Aidomo Emakhu, Gatlin O'Donker and Jin-Woo Jeon.
Speaking after the game, U's boss Ramsey said: "I was really pleased with the performance. We have had a very strong start and the boys' standards have been exceptional."
Meanwhile, this will be Barnet's fifth pre-season fixture of the summer and have so far gone unbeaten in those games. After defeating Hitchin Town and Hamel Hampstead, Barnet have played Championship and League One opposition in their previous two friendlies. A 2-2 draw with Watford was followed by another draw of the same scoreline against Luton Town.
Recent additions to the squad for The Bees include Oisin Gallagher, on-loan from Championship side Lincoln City, former Swindon Town defender Will Wright and goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, formerly of Stevenage.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
Tuesday's victory over Aldershot Town saw several players make their mark, none more so than Aidomo Emakhu, whose well-taken opener set the U's on their way. The winger will be eager to build on an encouraging end to last season as he looks to establish himself at Oxford United.
Having joined the club from Millwall in January, Emakhu needed time to adapt to his new surroundings, but his performances in the closing weeks of the campaign gave supporters a glimpse of his exciting attacking ability. Now, the hope is that with a full pre-season under his belt, the 22-year-old will enter the new season full of confidence and ready to make a bigger impact.
His goal on Tuesday highlighted one of his greatest strengths. Timing his run perfectly to arrive at the back post, Emakhu was in the right place at the right time to emphatically fire home and kick off pre-season with a bang.
Barnet's leading scorer during the 2025/26 campaign, 28-year-old Kabongo Tshimanga finished the season with 16 goals and remains one of the most proven forwards at League Two and National League level. A consistent goalscorer throughout his career, he has netted 74 goals in 141 appearances across spells with Boreham Wood and Chesterfield in the National League.
A dynamic centre-forward, Tshimanga combines intelligent movement with clinical finishing. Whether stretching defences with runs in behind or using his strength to hold the ball up and bring teammates into play, he poses a constant threat. His pace, physicality and natural eye for goal make him the focal point of Barnet's attack and a striker defenders can rarely afford to lose sight of.
PREVIOUS MEETING
The last time to the teams met was in March 2016. On that occasion, United secured a convincing 3-0 victory at The Hive Stadium thanks to a brace from Callum O'Dowda and a goal from Danny Hylton. That victory for the U's saw them cement their spot at the top of the League Two table and they would go on to finish second and clinch promotion to League One.
Landmark Collection Has Launched!
Oxford United are pleased to unveil the 2026/27 Landmark Collection, a bespoke set of warm-up apparel to be worn by the Men’s and Women’s Teams throughout their pre-match preparations this season.
Available as a quarter zip and jersey, the collection draws inspiration from Oxford Stone, the limestone quarried in Headington and used across many of the city’s iconic buildings.
Art Inspires - Oxford United 2026/27 Home Kit
Check out the launch video for our new home kit.