Ewood Park
Tuesday 9 December, 7:45pm
The Yellows are on the road for the second time in just four days. Following Saturday's game in Swansea, the team now make the long trip to Lancashire to take on Blackburn Rovers.
Form Guide - Snapshot
- Oxford United: W1 D2 L2 from the previous five games. Gary Rowett’s side will be eager to get back on track after Saturday’s defeat to Swansea City, aware that a display akin to their performance against Ipswich Town would give them an excellent chance of securing a win.
- Blackburn Rovers: W1 D1 L3 in their last five. Blackburn enter this match after their game against Sheffield Wednesday was abandoned on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. Aside from that disruption, they’re form has been okay overall, though they have lost two of their last three home fixtures.
The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check
Oxford will head into this match confident they can replicate last season’s result against Blackburn Rovers. The sides last met at the Kassam Stadium in January, when a strike from Cameron Brannagan secured a 1–0 victory.
Before that win, United had struggled in recent meetings, with Rovers having taken the previous four encounters dating back to 2016. Overall, Rovers hold the edge in the head-to-head, claiming 12 wins to Oxford’s eight since their first clash in 1964.
The Connections - Worn Both Badges
- Simon Eastwood: The 36-year-old joined the U’s from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2016. Nine years on, he has amassed 288 appearances for the club. Although he now often operates as a reserve goalkeeper behind the likes of Jamie Cumming and Matt Ingram, he has played a major role in the team’s success in recent seasons. Eastwood claimed both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2017 and continues to provide invaluable experience and leadership within the goalkeeping department. Before arriving at Oxford, he spent three years at the Ewood Park, making 20 appearances.
- Joe Rothwell: The Manchester United academy graduate signed for the Yellows in July 2016, and went on to make 86 appearances for the Club, scoring eight times. After two years in OX4, Rothwell signed for Blackburn and went on to spend four years in Lancashire. The midfielder would feature 161 times for Rovers, scoring 11 goals, before leaving to join AFC Bournemouth. He now plays for Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
- Todd Kane: After spending 18 years with Chelsea, Kane left the club in 2019, having enjoyed multiple loan spells across the EFL - including stints at both of these sides. He joined Blackburn Rovers on loan in 2013, making 42 appearances in blue and white and scoring twice. Five years later, he had a brief but memorable loan spell at the Kassam Stadium. Arriving on Deadline Day in January 2018, Kane made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 3–2 away win over Charlton Athletic. He continued to impress throughout his time with the U’s, contributing three goals in 17 appearances before departing to join Hull City on loan in the Championship.
Opposition Focus: A Look Into Life At Ewood Park
1) Currently sitting just two places above Oxford United in 19th in the Championship table, Blackburn have have had a very mixed set of results so far this season. Three consecutive victories over Southampton, Leicester and Bristol City at the start of November demonstrated their ability to compete at this level, but a number of narrow losses has resulted in them being at the lower end of the league table.
2) Under the management of Frenchman Ismael Valerien, Blackburn will often set up with a two-man forward line and a back three. This allows them to use wing-backs to support the attack and aim to get balls into the box as much as possible. The former Watford and West Brom boss aims to play attacking football, with an aggressive press to win the ball back high up the pitch.
3) Despite adopting a more attack-minded style, Blackburn Rovers have struggled in front of goal this season, finding the net just 18 times in 18 matches. Given they boast the seventh-highest average xG in the EFL Championship, their inability to convert chances remains their most pressing issue.
Ryan Alebiosu: The Man Driving Blackburn Forward
The former Arsenal academy player has been one of Blackburn Rovers’ standout performers this season. Operating as a right wing-back, he has become a key component of their attacking play, consistently pushing high up the pitch and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
He opened his account for Rovers in October’s win over Southampton and continues to pose a real threat in the final third. Facing an Oxford United side coming off a weekend defeat, he will view this as another strong opportunity to impose himself and play a decisive role in Rovers’ attacking efforts.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Tuesday 9 December, 7:45pm at Ewood Park.
- Recent form (last five): Oxford W1 D2 L2; Blackburn Rovers: W1 D1 L3.
- Goals: Oxford have scored 20 goals this season, Blackburn have scored 18.
- Fun Fact: Six of the last 10 Oxford United fixtures have seen both teams score.
- Historic classics: Oxford 1-0 Blackburn (18 January 2025); Blackburn 1-3 Oxford (29 December 1990)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (5 goals); Andri Gudjohnsen (6 goals).
Voices from the Camp:
Watch Gary Rowett and Ole Romeny's Press Conferences below:
RETAIL
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MATCHDAY GUIDES
Matchday Guide
Get ready for matchday at Ewood Park! Click the arrow below to explore travel info, stadium facilities, and top tips provided by Blackburn Rovers for making the most of your day.
MATCHDAY STREAMING
Stream LIVE On OUTV
Don’t miss a minute of the action – stream the game live on the Club’s OUTV platform.
International fans can watch the game live, depending on their location. The match is streamable worldwide, except for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
