Match Previews

Oxford United vs Bradford City | Match Preview

Wednesday 21 October

For the second time in just a few days, the Yellows are back in action at the Kassam Stadium as they take on Bradford City in Sky Bet League One action.

WHEN AND WHERE

The match against the Bantams takes place on Saturday 24 October, kicking off at 3:00pm at the Kassam Stadium.

You can access our Matchday Guides by clicking the buttons below to discover all you need to know to ensure a smooth and enjoyable matchday experience.

Matchday Guide

Disabled Supporters Guide

HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?

Video passes are available for international viewers by clicking the button below.

Buy Video Pass

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.

Buy Monthly Audio Pass

Buy Seasonal Audio Pass

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.

DOWNLOAD APP

GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS

Bradford City have made an impressive start to their second season back in League One, having secured a fourth-place finish last term following their promotion in 2024. The Bantams head into this weekend's fixture sitting third in the table and unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions.

Despite their lofty position, however, Bradford have found goals hard to come by, scoring just ten times in their opening 11 league games - one of the lowest tallies in the division. Instead, it has been their defensive resilience that has underpinned their early-season success.

The Bantams boast the best defensive record in League One, having conceded just five goals so far. They have also shown a knack for grinding out results, recording four 1-0 victories as they continue to make their mark near the top of the table.

Despite the positive start to the season for Braford City, they have seen some early disruption in the dugout following Graham Alexander's departure for Championship side Preston North End. He was swiftly replaced by former Wycombe Wanderers boss Michael Duff on 6 October.

The former Northern Ireland international defender, who enjoyed a successful playing career with Cheltenham Town and Burnley before moving into management, first made his name in the dugout at Cheltenham, guiding the club to the League Two title in 2021, before taking Barnsley to the League One play-off final in 2023.

Known for his organised, hard-working sides, Duff favours a disciplined approach built around a high press, wing-backs and direct, low-risk football, with formations such as 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 featuring prominently throughout his career. His teams are expected to work tirelessly, compete physically and remain difficult to break down, while still looking to move the ball forward efficiently.

HOW ARE THE YELLOWS SHAPING UP?

Tuesday night's victory over Wigan Athletic ensured the Yellows maintained their unbeaten home record this season. With three wins and a draw in OX4, Ramsey's side have established a strong sense of confidence on home soil, with supporters increasingly expecting United to dominate possession and deliver an attacking brand of football.

The performance against Wigan was a perfect example of that approach, as the U's controlled possession from the outset and created several clear-cut opportunities through their direct, purposeful attacking play. United will perhaps feel they should have won by a greater margin, with the final scoreline of 2-1 flattering the visitors, but the quality of the football on display will have been hugely encouraging for everyone in yellow.

There was also a welcome return to action for Aidomo Emakhu following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury. The winger wasted little time in reminding supporters of his qualities, repeatedly using his pace and trickery to get the better of his full-back and coming agonisingly close to getting on the scoresheet.

A similar pattern could emerge in this weekend's encounter, with United likely to enjoy the majority of possession against a Bradford side whose defensive solidity has been central to their impressive start to the season. The challenge for the Yellows will be to find a way through the Bantams' well-organised backline, using their creativity, movement and attacking quality to turn possession into clear-cut chances.

WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?

If the Yellows are to find a way through Bradford City's formidable defence, Siriki Dembélé could prove instrumental, with the winger heading into the fixture in excellent form.

Named Player of the Match in each of the last two home games, Dembélé has looked back to his best this season, combining his pace and attacking flair to cause opposition defenders all sorts of problems. His contribution extends beyond the final third, too, with his tireless work rate and determination to win back possession making him a valuable asset on both sides of the ball. With two goals and three assists to his name this season, Dembélé has frequently been the spark behind United's most dangerous attacking moves, whether driving forward down the left flank or finding space in central areas. His creativity and ability to beat defenders one-on-one could be crucial in unlocking a Bradford backline that has been so difficult to break down.

The standout figure at the heart of Bradford City's defence this season has been Aden Baldwin. The centre-back joined the Bantams in July 2024 following his departure from Notts County and has since played a pivotal role in the club's success, helping establish them as a formidable force following their promotion to League One.

Bradford have kept eight clean sheets in their opening 11 games, with Baldwin's experience, leadership and physical presence proving instrumental in their defensive solidity. However, his influence is not limited to his duties at the back, with the defender also posing a significant threat from attacking corners and set-pieces. He demonstrated that goalscoring ability earlier this season, netting the winning goal in Bradford's victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

A commanding presence at both ends of the pitch, Baldwin will undoubtedly be a key figure for the Bantams as they look to maintain their impressive defensive record and secure another positive result.

TEAM NEWS

After missing the Wigan Athletic game through suspension, both Peter Kioso and Gatlin O'Donkor are available for selection and are likely to be part of the matchday squad.

Aidomo Emakhu made his return to the side off the bench on Tuesday night and will be pushing to be in from the start.

For Bradford City, Tyreik Wright and Josh Neufville will miss the game through injury. Otherwise, Duff is likely to select an unchanged squad from the previous game.

PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES

You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and winger Aidomo Emakhu by clicking the buttons below.

Aaron Ramsey Press Conference

Aidomo Emakhu Press Conference

PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

The last meeting between these two sides came in 2019, when Jamie Mackie struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner at the Kassam Stadium to secure a vital three points for the Yellows in their battle for survival. Both clubs were embroiled in a fight near the foot of the table, making the late goal all the more significant. While the victory proved crucial for United, Bradford's campaign ended in disappointment, with the Bantams ultimately suffering relegation to League Two.

Since their first encounter in 1963, the two clubs have met 40 times, with Oxford United holding the advantage in the overall head-to-head record. The U's have recorded 18 victories and drawn eight of those encounters, giving them the historical edge ahead of this latest clash.

Last Five Matches
Date	Result	Score
16 February 2019	W	Oxford United 1-0 Bradford City
24 November 2018	L	Bradford City 2-0 Oxford United
30 December 2017	L	Bradford City 3-2 Oxford United
12 September 2017	D	Oxford United 2-2 Bradford City
14 April 2017	L	Bradford City 1-0 Oxford United