Find out everything you need to know ahead of Oxford United's trip to Leyton Orient this weekend for the First Round of the Carabao Cup.
WHEN AND WHERE
Oxford United travel to fellow League One side Leyton Orient for the first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season in the Carabao Cup.
The match takes place at The BetWright Stadium on Saturday 8 August, with the game kicking off at 3:00pm.
HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?
Audio streaming for this fixture is available exclusively with a Monthly or Seasonal Audio Pass. Individual match passes are not available.
Purchase a Monthly or Seasonal Audio Pass using the button below to listen to this weekend's match, plus all included audio coverage throughout your pass period.
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 and Instagram: @OUFCOfficial.
GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS
Leyton Orient, nicknamed The O's, will be playing in League One this season alongside Oxford United after their 20th place finish in the 2025/26 campaign. After finishing sixth in the 2024/25 campaign and qualifying for the play-offs, there was much optimism that Orient could take that extra step and achieve promotion to the Championship. However, the following season was one of struggle and the club survived relegation to League Two by just three points.
Orient are a club steeped in tradition and with a proud history. One of London's oldest professional football clubs, founded in 1881 originally as Glyn Cricket Club by members of a local church, the club changed its name several times over time before becoming Leyton Orient in 1987, reflecting its strong connection to the East London community. The club has spent much of its history competing in the English Football League, largely bouncing between League One and League Two, and after three successive seasons back in League One the aim will be to push once again for the promotion spots.
This weekend's hosts will be lead on the side lines by Richie Wellens. Previously a promotion winning manager with Swindon Town, Wellens represented the likes of Leicester City, Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers in his playing days, accumulating more than 600 career appearances in the professional game.
Appointed as Orient manager in March 2022, he took on a team sitting 20th in League Town before winning promotion to League One in his first full season in charge. Known for his attacking style of football and strong leadership, Wellens has helped establish Leyton Orient as a competitive side while earning several Manager of the Month awards. His work has made him one of the most respected managers in the English Football League and a key figure in the club’s modern history.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP FOR THE NEW SEASON?
Oxford United supporters will head into the new season full of optimism after an impressive pre-season campaign. Aaron Ramsey's side won all four of their friendly fixtures, including a convincing 2-0 victory over Premier League outfit Ipswich Town last weekend.
With the club unable to register new signings this summer, Ramsey has used pre-season as an opportunity to integrate several academy prospects into the first-team squad. Leo Snowden, Harrison Bradney and Aidan Elliott-Wheeler have all caught the eye with a series of encouraging performances, while senior players Jack Currie and Tyler Goodrham have enjoyed productive pre-seasons after returning from injuries that disrupted the second half of last season.
Leyton Orient, meanwhile, have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the new campaign following the departure of last season's EFL League One Young Player of the Season and top scorer, Dom Ballard, who completed a move to Championship side Bristol City earlier this week. Replacing Ballard's goals and overall influence will now be Richie Wellens' biggest priority before the transfer window closes.
Despite Ballard's exit, Orient have strengthened in several areas during the summer, with former Premier League midfielder and Jamaica international Isaac Hayden among the club's notable arrivals. The O's have also had a busy pre-season schedule, playing eight friendly matches, recording four wins, one draw and three defeats as they continue to build towards the opening day.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
After scoring his first goal for the Club in the win over Ipswich Town, Jack Currie is back fully fit and high in confidence ahead of the new season. The full-back had a frustrating second half of last season due to ongoing injury problems, but he looks to be back to his best and thriving under Aaron Ramsey's new system and style of play.
This game will also mean a lot to Currie personally as he prepares to face his former side. The 24-year-old spent the 2024/25 season in the Red and White of Leyton Orient on loan, and played 45 games for the club in a season that resulted in qualifying for the League One play-offs.
Another individual set to face his former club is Leyton Orient midfielder Idris El Mizouni. The Tunisian midfielder signed for Oxford United from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024 and played 28 times in Yellow, scoring one goal.
El Mizouni signed for Orient in 2025, his second spell at the club following a successful loan period before his days in OX4. The midfielder scored a flurry of goals in the opening few months of the 2025/26 campaign, before injury ruled him out for a number of weeks towards the tail end of the season. Regarded as one of Orient's more talented midfield players, the former U's man will be hoping to be the dagger in his former side's thorn on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS
The U's arrive at this game with a couple of absences from the squad. Frankie Kent, who joined the Club near the beginning of the summer, will miss the majority of the season ahead after suffering an ACL injury.
Ruben Roosken will also be absent for the next few months after suffering a broken foot in the pre-season win over Crawley Town. Jin Woo Jeon will similarly be missing for an extended period with a back injury.
A number of the academy graduates will be aiming to start this weekend following a flurry of recent positive performances, but the team is expected to be similar to the one that started against Ipswich Town last time out.
Unavailable: Frankie Kent, Ruben Roosken, Jin Woo Jeon
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and Club captain Cam Brannagan by clicking the buttons below.
Cam Brannagan Press Conference
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
These two sides last met in February 2024 in League One. Despite Tyler Goodrham's early opening goal in OX4, Leyton Orient ran away 2-1 winners on the day thanks to second half goals from Ollie O'Neil and George Moncur.
The visitors had the lion's share of the shots and possession on the day and deservedly claimed the three points against Des Buckingham's side, as Orient remained just behind United in the push for the play-offs. Of course, ultimately, it was the U's who qualified for the play-offs and secured promotion to the Championship at the end of that season.
Last Six Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
24 February 2024 | L | Oxford United 1-2 Leyton Orient |
11 November 2023 | W | Leyton Orient 2-3 Oxford United |
30 August 2023 | W | Oxford United 5-0 Leyton Orient |
12 March 2016 | L | Oxford United 0-1 Leyton Orient |
17 October 2015 | D | Leyton Orient 2-2 Oxford United |
LAST TIME OUT
Our previous game was against Ipswich Town in OX4, our final pre-season fixture before the excitement of the new season begins. Second-half goals from Tyler Goodrham and Stan Mills sealed a 2-0 win the the Yellows in a convincing win.
Click the button below to read the full report from that victory over the Tractor Boys.
WHICH KIT WILL UNITED BE WEARING?
United will be wearing the new Replica Home Kit for this weekend's fixture. You can click the button below to buy yours online today!
Carfax Collection
Oxford United have unveiled the Carfax Collection, a premium range of luxury travel wear for the Men’s First Team as they journey to home and away fixtures throughout the 2026/27 season.
The nine-piece military green and black collection has been curated to give players a choice of garments that reflect their own style and individuality, without compromising on comfort or quality.
Perfect for leisure, travel and everyday wear, the Carfax Collection is named after the historic crossroads that sit at the heart of Oxford.
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.
Performance Inspires - Oxford United's 2026/27 Away Kit
Check out the launch video for our new away kit, featuring local artistic project Mount St. Helen performing a stunning orchestral rendition of Foals' What Went Down.
