Kassam Stadium
Saturday 31 January, 3:00pm
The Yellows are unbeaten in their first three matches under Matt Bloomfield, buoyed by a morale-boosting victory away at Leicester City last weekend. They now face a Birmingham City side who arrive in strong form, unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.
Scan To Smile
Oxford United will be supporting the EFL’s ‘Scan to Smile’ campaign at their home fixture against Birmingham City on Saturday 31 January.
‘Scan to Smile’ is one of the EFL’s key campaigns this season, offering a creative way to showcase the powerful impact of clubs’ community work. On matchday, supporters will be encouraged to scan QR codes displayed around the stadium, unlocking short, uplifting stories from local communities. The initiative is designed to lift spirits during the January blues and strengthen the connection between clubs and their supporters.
Matchday Food Bank Collection
Oxford United are pleased to support a collection for Oxford Food Hub at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday, ahead of our home fixture against Birmingham City.
The initiative is being organised by supporters’ group OxVox, who will be accepting donations prior to kick-off at their stall in the Exhibition Bar under the South Stand between 12:30pm and 2:30pm.
For more information, click HERE.
Form Guide - Snapshot (League form)
- Oxford United: W1 D2 L2 from the previous five games. Two draws and a win from Bloomfield's opening three games will give the U's supporters huge confidence that the team are heading in the right direction and are ready to fight until the very end this season.
- Birmingham City: W2 D2 L1 in their last five. The Blues arrive in OX4 in good form and sit just five points back from the play off positions. However, Birmingham have won just two of their last ten league games on the road (W2 D2 L6).
The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check
This fixture has been closely contested since the sides first met in 1968, with Oxford recording eight wins and nine draws from the 28 meetings to date.
Earlier this season, the reverse fixture saw the West-Midlands club edge a narrow 1–0 victory at St Andrew’s, courtesy of a strike from Seung-Ho Paik.
The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost
- Stan Mills vs Kai Wagner: Since Matt Bloomfield’s arrival at the Club, Stan Mills has started all three matches. Previously, the young winger had drifted in and out of the side, struggling to establish any real rhythm. Now, he looks a constant threat down the right flank, gliding past defenders and delivering dangerous crosses into the box. Mills is also beginning to pose a genuine goal threat, regularly finding himself in promising positions, and he could prove key in breaking down the Blues’ defence. This weekend, he is likely to come up against German left-back Kai Wagner, who joined Birmingham City from MLS side Philadelphia Union in January. Wagner has made a positive start to life in England and should provide a stern test for Mills.
- Myles Peart-Harris: The former Brentford midfielder has made a strong impression since joining United a few weeks ago. His physical presence, long-throw threat and ability to drive forward with the ball have added a new dimension to the Yellows’ attack. The only thing missing from his performances so far is a goal, and he will be eager to turn his encouraging displays into tangible returns.
- Jay Stansfield vs Will Lankshear: Both forwards are their teams’ leading scorers so far this season and will be aiming to make the difference this weekend. Despite their shared goal threat, they offer contrasting styles: Stansfield thrives on running in behind to stretch the opposition back line, while Lankshear prefers the ball to feet, using his hold-up play to link teammates into the game.
Team News From Both Camps
Tyler Goodrham, Jamie Donley, Nik Prelec and Hidde ter Avest will all remain unavailable for Matt Bloomfield’s side, while Przemsław Płacheta and Michal Helik are pushing to return after recovering from a calf injury and resuming full training.
Jin Woo Jeon was included in the matchday squad for the first time last weekend and could make his debut this time around, either in the starting XI or from the bench.
For the visitors, left-back Alex Cochrane remains sidelined with an ankle injury, having been absent since the New Year’s Day defeat to Watford. Winger Demarai Gray is also unavailable due to a calf problem and is not expected to return until mid-February. Jack Robinson (hamstring), Ethan Laird (hamstring) and Lee Buchanan (knee) are also confirmed absentees.
From the NFL to the EFL: Brady’s Birmingham City
1) Birmingham City, like AFC Wrexham, were promoted from League One last season following a multi-million takeover by American Football legend Tom Brady. The mission for Brady and Birmingham City is to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011.
2) Under the guidance of former Tottenham Hotspur assistant Chris Davies, Birmingham City stormed to promotion from League One with a record-breaking 111 points and have since established themselves in a solid mid-table position in the Championship this season. Davies has implemented a clear playing identity, centred on dominating possession and pressing high with intensity when out of the ball.
3) Often mirroring Oxford United’s structure, Birmingham typically line up with a back four, a double pivot in midfield, and an attacking trio supporting a lone striker. Their approach places a strong emphasis on width, regularly working the ball into wide areas to deliver crosses into the penalty area. With 6ft 2in German international Marvin Ducksch leading the line, the Blues look to maximise their aerial threat by attacking down the flanks and flooding the box at every opportunity. This emphasis is reflected in the numbers: Birmingham have attempted the third-highest number of crosses in the division (645), compared to Oxford United’s 460.
Jay Stansfield: From Record Signing to Rising Star
The new ownership at Birmingham City certainly made their intentions clear when the signing of Jay Stansfield was announced in August 2024. The man signed from Fulham cost a reported £15 million, a record transfer for League One. Stansfield certainly demonstrated why the Blues were willing to spend so much for his services, scoring 24 goals in his first season at the club and being a pivotal figure in their promotion to the Championship.
This season, Stansfield has eight goals and five assists to his name, an impressive return. The 23-year-old offers Birmingham City a dynamic and multi-faceted threat in the final third, combining sharp movement with an impressive work rate both on and off the ball. Comfortable leading the line on his own or playing just off the forward, he excels at stretching defences with intelligent runs in behind, while also dropping into pockets to link play and bring teammates into the attack. Stansfield’s pace and directness make him particularly dangerous in transition, and his willingness to press aggressively from the front fits seamlessly into Chris Davies’ high-intensity approach.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Saturday 31 January, 3:00pm at Kassam Stadium .
- Recent form (last five): Oxford United W1 D2 L2; Birmingham City : W2 D2 L1.
- Goals: Oxford have scored 27 goals this season, Birmingham have scored 39.
- Fun Fact: Seven of the last eight meetings between the two sides, dating back to 1996, have produced two goals or fewer, highlighting just how tightly contested these fixtures tend to be.
- Historic classics: Birmingham 0-1 Oxford United (9 August 2016); Birmingham 0-1 Oxford United (14 November 1998); Oxford United 2-0 Birmingham (29 March 1994)
- Played for both teams (Years at Oxford United): Trevor Aylott (1991-1992); James Beadle (2023-2024); Lee Bradbury (2004-2006); Ben Davies (2025-present); Siriki Dembele (2024-present); Kevin Francis (1998-2000); Jordan Graham (2015); Robert Hall (2016-2021); Luke Harris (2025-2026); Bud Houghton (1961-1963); Wes Thomas (2016-2018); John Trewick (1984-1987)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (6 goals); Jay Stansfield (8 goals).
Voices From The Camp:
Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and Ben Davies Below:
RETAIL
The January Sale is nearing its conclusion, so make sure you don't miss out on great savings across a wide range of products in store and online. To round off the month, our final exclusive launches on Saturday, with 20% off all Macron Training and Travel wear. Don’t miss out, take advantage of this fantastic offer before it ends on Monday.
COMING UP
Following this weekend, we have two massive upcoming games at the Kassam. The first is against Norwich City, under the lights, on 10 February. Just a few days later, Premier League side Sunderland visit for an Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie. It promises to be an exciting couple of weeks in OX4, and your support will be more important than ever.
Tickets for these matches are available:
- By clicking HERE
- By calling 01865 337 533
- By visiting the Ticket Office in person
MATCHDAY GUIDES
Matchday Guide
Get ready for matchday at the Kassam Stadium! Click the arrow below to explore travel info, stadium facilities, and top tips 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.
