Oxford United are back in league action for the first time following the international break as they head to Nottingham to take on Notts County.
WHEN AND WHERE
The match takes place on Saturday 10 October, kicking off at 12:30pm at Meadow Lane.
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
The 2026/27 campaign represents Notts County's first season in League One for over a decade following their promotion via the League Two Play-Offs last season. Prior to that promotion, the previous ten years had been spent between League Two and the National League and while the club had faced difficult times, they are now on the up and the aim will be to cement their place in this division for the following season.
Nicknamed The Magpies, County have a long and proud tradition built on community and an unwavering connection with their supporters. Only one club can say that they are the oldest professional club in world football and that is Notts County, having formed in 1862. They went on to become one of the 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888 and have an FA Cup trophy to their name. A proud club with a great history that now aims to establish themselves in League One and strive for greater things in years to come.
In the home dugout this weekend, leading his team from the sideline is Martin Paterson. The former Burnley forward is in just his second managerial role, having previously guided Burton Albion to safety amidst relegation worries in 2024. At the age of 39, he is the fifth-youngest manager at this level and with a play-off triumph and promotion already under his belt, he is proving very successful already.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
Aaron Ramsey will have been pleased to see his squad return to action in midweek following the international break. The Jersey Mike’s Trophy fixture against Exeter City provided an opportunity to hand valuable minutes to emerging academy talents Harrison Bradney, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler and James Golding, all of whom are looking to establish themselves in the senior set-up this season. It also allowed more experienced members of the squad to regain match fitness after the extended break.
The Yellows currently sit 10th in the League One table, just two points adrift of the play-off places, with games in hand over several of the teams above them. A victory this Saturday would further strengthen what has been an encouraging start to the campaign and keep them firmly in contention near the top end of the table.
For Notts County, meanwhile, three points would provide some much-needed breathing space from the relegation zone, with Paterson’s side currently sitting just one point clear of the drop. Their start to the season has been inconsistent, with four draws from their opening seven games. They have suffered just two defeats, both coming in their last two outings. The Magpies have struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and rank among the lower sides in the division for both shots and shots on target.
Nevertheless, there is still plenty of time for Notts County to turn their fortunes around, and supporters can take encouragement from how difficult they have been to beat for much of the campaign. While they are yet to keep a clean sheet, the Magpies have generally looked organised defensively and will hope to draw confidence from playing in front of their home supporters this weekend.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
Although Michal Helik may have been slightly unrecognisable during the draw against Cambridge United, thanks to the sizeable bandage wrapped around his head, the Polish centre-back once again delivered an outstanding performance. Having rediscovered his best form, Helik has underlined exactly why he is regarded as such a quality defender at League One level.
Since arriving in the summer of 2024, Helik has consistently demonstrated his leadership qualities while showcasing the defensive attributes that make him such a valuable asset. Strong in the air, composed in possession and intelligent in his reading of the game, he is an experienced centre-back who stands out at this level. Having been absent from the starting XI during the opening games of the season, Helik has since re-established himself as a key figure and played an instrumental role in the team's recent upturn in form.
The stand-out individual for Notts County this season has been midfielder Oliver Cooper. The 26-year-old former Swansea City midfielder, who has five caps for Wales, has four goals across all competitions already for The Magpies this season and has been a constant threat in the final third.
The midfielder brings valuable experience from his time in the Championship, having also featured for Newport County and Wigan Athletic. Comfortable operating in attacking and central midfield roles, Cooper offers energy and versatility, while his eye for goal has already made an obvious impact.
TEAM NEWS
A number of players have continued their return to fitness over the international break and are expected to return in the next few weeks. Following the game against Exeter City in midweek, there are no additional injury concerns.
For the hosts, there is a reasonably long list of absentees. Midfielder Max Sanders is closing in on a return to competitive football following a calf injury picked up during pre-season, but is unlikely to feature this weekend. The Magpies are likely to be without Emile Acquah and Beck-Ray Enoru for a long period through injury also.
Defender Lewis Macari remains out, while striker Dean Campbell is a doubt having not featured since August. Matthew Platt rounds off the hosts’ lengthy absentee list with an ACL injury endured against Chesterfield in March, though the 29-year-old defender is progressing well with his rehabilitation.
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and defender Ciaron Brown by clicking the buttons below.
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
This weekend's game will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2016, when Oxford United under Michael Appleton claimed a 4-2 win at Meadow Lane.
In a real topsy-turvy game, United were 2-1 down with ten minutes to play, at which point, Alex MacDonald scored to level the scores. The game reached 90 minutes and both teams seemed to be settling for a point, before Callum O'Dowda and Kemar Roofe both scored in injury time to seal a dramatic win for the U's.
Last Five Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
1 February 2016 | W | Notts County 2-4 Oxford United |
18 August 2015 | W | Oxford United 3-1 Notts County |
18 March 2006 | D | Notts County 0-0 Oxford United |
26 December 2005 | W | Oxford United 3-0 Notts County |
9 April 2005 | W | Oxford United 2-1 Notts County |
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE ONE THIS WEEKEND
Here are the other games taking place in EFL Sky Bet League One on Saturday (3:00pm kick off unless stated)
Plymouth Argyle vs AFC Wimbledon (12:30pm kick off)
Bradford City vs Leyton Orient
Cambridge United vs Blackpool
Doncaster Rovers vs Burton Albion
Huddersfield Town vs Sheffield Wednesday
Leicester City vs Peterborough
MK Dons vs Reading
Mansfield Town vs Bromley
Stevenage vs Wigan Athletic
Stockport County vs Barnsley
Wycombe Wanderers vs Luton Town
WHICH KIT WILL UNITED BE WEARING?
Aaron Ramsey's side will be wearing the Home Kit this weekend. Not got yours yet? Click the button below to browse on our online shop.
Matchday In OX4: Access All Areas
Have you ever wondered what a matchday in OX4 looks like from start to finish behind-the-scenes? Against Cambridge our media team covered the day so that you could see all the bits you normally don't get to witness, and you can watch below.
