Following Saturday's victory away to Notts County, the Yellows are on the road once more as they prepare to take on Mansfield Town.
WHEN AND WHERE
The match takes place on Thursday 15 October, kicking off at 8:00pm at the One Call Stadium.
MINUTE APPLAUSE IN HONOUR OF MANSFIELD SUPPORTER
For those attending the match, Mansfield Town have asked us to make visiting supporters aware that a minute’s applause will take place in the 59th minute in memory of Paul, a Mansfield Town supporter who sadly passed away suddenly over the weekend.
HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?
Video passes are available for international viewers by clicking the button below.
For our UK audience, audio streaming for this fixture is available exclusively with a Monthly or Seasonal Audio Pass.
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
Mansfield are in League One for the third successive season since achieving promotion in 2024. Nicknamed the Stags and based in Nottinghamshire, Mansfield Town are one of the oldest professional football clubs in England and play at one of the oldest grounds too. Mansfield have built a competitive squad combining experienced EFL campaigners with emerging talent as they look to establish themselves in League One and attempt to push on.
Mansfield Town are led by Nigel Clough, a familiar name in English football as the son of legendary manager Brian Clough. Since taking charge of the Stags in 2020, Clough has overseen a remarkable period of progress, guiding the club away from relegation danger in his first season before leading them to increasingly successful campaigns. Clough will be keen to build on last season’s 10th-place finish and take Mansfield a step further by mounting a serious challenge for the play-off places this time around.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
Following last Saturday’s three-point haul at Meadow Lane, United head into this fixture sitting eighth in the table, knowing a victory would see them climb to second ahead of the weekend.
The squad is in a strong position after the opening seven fixtures, with loan signings Kai Andrews and Luka Lynch both settling in well and leading the U’s assist charts this season. Lynch’s inch-perfect through ball for Cam Brannagan’s winning goal in Nottingham took his tally to three assists since arriving in September, while Andrews has already registered two of his own.
There is further encouragement for Ramsey, with several senior players closing in on a return following recent injury setbacks. Their comebacks would leave him with a full squad to choose from, providing a timely boost as the campaign progresses. Meanwhile, young talents Mo Missanga and Leo Snowden have both made a significant impact this season, impressing since stepping up from academy football and demonstrating the strength of United’s emerging talent.
Mansfield Town, meanwhile, will be pleased with their start to the campaign. The Stags currently sit 14th in the table but remain just a few points behind the U’s and the play-off places, leaving them well within reach of the top end of the division at this early stage.
Nigel Clough strengthened his squad over the summer, adding significant EFL experience through the likes of strikers David McGoldrick and Michael Smith. With a combined 359 career goals between them, the pair bring a wealth of experience and a proven eye for goal. Although both are in the latter stages of their careers, their leadership and know-how are likely to prove invaluable to the Mansfield squad throughout the season.
Elsewhere, fellow summer arrivals Jonathan Russell and Liam Thompson have established themselves as key figures in midfield. Both have featured consistently so far this campaign, becoming important members of Clough’s side as Mansfield look to build on their promising start.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
With four goals in the opening seven matches, Mark Harris is United’s leading scorer this season and continuing to demonstrate his quality at League One level.
Sparky marked his 150th appearance in Yellow on Saturday in fitting fashion, opening the scoring against Notts County with a goal that perfectly encapsulated his game. His relentless pressing forced an error from the goalkeeper before he showed composure to slot the ball underneath him and into the net.
The Welsh international played a key role in United’s promotion-winning campaign of 2023/24, scoring 15 goals across the season. With four already to his name this time around, Harris is on course to match that impressive tally as he continues to lead the line for the U’s.
After spending a successful campaign with the Stags last season on loan at Mansfield Town, midfielder Jonathan Russell has picked up where he left off after signing permanently in the summer. The 26-year-old scored five goals in the second half of the 2025/26 season for Mansfield whilst on loan from Barnsley, and has scored two goals in four games this season as a permanent member of the Town squad.
His energy, work rate and ability to contribute in the middle of the park have made him a valuable option for Nigel Clough as the Stags look to build momentum this season. His physical presence and ability to make an impact at both ends of the pitch were crucial for Mansfield last season, helping them to cement a 10th place finish.
TEAM NEWS
Jamie McDonnell is likely to remain sidelined for the next few weeks with the hamstring injury suffered during the game against Cambridge last month, while the likes of Ruben Roosken, Aidomo Emakhu and Jin Woo Jeon are nearing a return to fitness and hope to be available in the coming weeks.
Otherwise, there are no additional injury concerns following the weekend's victory at Notts County.
Mansfield will be without Grenada international Lucas Akins and defender Billy Cargill for this clash as both continue their recovery from hamstring injuries. Veteran striker David McGoldrick also recently picked up a knock and has missed the previous two games, making him a doubt to feature as well.
Having picked up a red card against Huddersfield Town last month, Clough has been without summer signing Owen Dodgson for Mansfield’s previous two fixtures, and the 23-year-old will serve the final match of his suspension on Thursday evening.
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and goalkeeper Jamie Cumming by clicking the buttons below.
Jamie Cumming Press Conference
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
It has been more than a decade since the two sides last met, with their most recent encounter taking place in February 2016, when United hosted the Stags at the Kassam Stadium. A Danny Hylton brace looked to have secured victory for the U’s, only for a late goal from the visitors to earn them a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Dropping two points late on proved only a minor setback in what was a successful season for Michael Appleton’s side. United went on to finish second in League Two with 86 points, securing automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign.
Last Five Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
9 February 2016 | D | Oxford United 2-2 Mansfield Town |
22 August 2015 | D | Mansfield Town 1-1 Oxford United |
21 February 2015 | W | Oxford United 3-0 Mansfield Town |
16 August 2014 | L | Mansfield Town 2-1 Oxford United |
15 February 2014 | W | Oxford United 3-0 Mansfield Town |
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE ONE THIS WEEKEND
This fixture is the only one to take place on Thursday, but there are several games taking place in EFL Sky Bet League One on Saturday (3:00pm kick off unless stated).
MK Dons vs Luton Town (12:30pm kick off)
Peterborough United vs Burton Albion (12:30pm kick off)
Barnsley vs Cambridge United
Bradford City vs Stevenage
Leicester City vs Doncaster Rovers
Leyton Orient vs Blackpool
Plymouth Argyle vs Huddersfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday vs AFC Wimbledon
Stockport County vs Bromley
Wigan Athletic vs Reading
Wycombe Wanderers vs Notts County
WHICH KIT WILL UNITED BE WEARING?
For just the second time this season, Oxford United will be wearing the beautiful Third Kit for this fixture. Not got yours yet? Click the button below to buy on our online store.
Relive the weekend's victory away to Notts County!
Want to remind yourselves of our victory at the weekend? Catch the highlights below.
