Oxford United welcome Cambridge United to the Kassam Stadium this Saturday. Get ready for the game with all the essential pre-match information in our latest Match Preview.
WHEN AND WHERE
For the second time in a week, Oxford United are back at home as they welcome Cambridge United to OX4.
The match takes place on Saturday 19 September, 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.
NEW PLAYER'S ENTRANCE
Following last week's launch, we wish to remind supporters of the new player's entrance on matchdays in OX4.
Following their arrival approximately two hours before kick-off, players will now enter the stadium via the entrance located next to the Ticket Office. Barriers will be in place on either side of the walkway from the players’ car park.
We kindly ask supporters not to surround the players’ vehicles. Instead, if you wish to welcome the players or ask for photos and autographs, please stand behind the barriers on either side of the walkway.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
CAN WE TALK?
Local suicide prevention service, Nai’s House, will be in attendance at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday to offer in-person suicide prevention advice to supporters.
As part of Oxford United’s Can We Talk? campaign, the Club will offer in-person suicide prevention support at selected home matchdays across the 2026/27 season, providing vital information and education.
For more information, click the button below.
SENSORY ROOM REFURBISHED
Oxford United are delighted to confirm that the Sensory Room for children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) has been refurbished, thanks to the support of the Club’s Principal Partner, Baxi.
Located under the Family Stand, the Sensory Room is a specially designed space that provides a calm, controlled environment for people who may find busy or stimulating surroundings overwhelming.
For more information, click the button below.
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
Cambridge United have returned to League One for the 2026/27 campaign following their promotion from League Town last season. Their draw on the final day of the season away to Crewe Alexander clinched the final automatic promotion place for a return to the third flight at the first time of asking, after their relegation from League One in 2025.
Like Oxford United, Cambridge United are commonly known as the U’s, having originally been founded as Abbey United in 1912. The club were also previously nicknamed the Wasps, a reference to their distinctive black-and-amber kit.
The man in charge of trying to out manouvre and out wit Yellows boss Aaron Ramsey this weekend is former Millwall striker and manager Neil Harris.
Harris enjoyed a long playing career as a striker, beginning with Cambridge City before becoming a club legend at Millwall, where he scored 138 goals in 431 appearances and became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Harris moved into management with Millwall, leading them to promotion from League One and an FA Cup quarter-final, before later managing Cardiff City and Gillingham. His first spell as Cambridge United head coach began in December 2023, although he left after just 17 games to return to Millwall. He was reappointed by the U’s in February 2025, taking over with the club struggling at the bottom of League One. Harris subsequently oversaw a major turnaround, guiding Cambridge to promotion from League Two in 2025/26. He has now guided Cambridge to a very good start to the new season, sitting fourth in the table after their first six games.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
Both managers will be delighted with the way their respective teams have started the new season. Following a difficult summer dominated by off-the-field circumstances, Aaron Ramsey has made an impressive start to life in management, guiding his side to three wins from their opening five games and fifth place in the League One table, with a game in hand over the majority of the teams around them.
With seven goals scored across their last two matches, alongside back-to-back clean sheets, United head into this fixture in excellent form. Those victories have also demonstrated two very different ways in which Ramsey’s side can win a game. The 4-0 triumph away at Leicester was a display of ruthless efficiency. United did not dominate possession, but were clinical when opportunities arose and made the most of the space afforded to them by the Leicester defence.
The victory over Burton at home, by contrast, required patience and persistence. Despite controlling the ball for long periods, United found an Albion side that was compact, disciplined and difficult to break down. Ramsey’s team had to remain patient and show considerable resilience before finally finding a way through, scoring three late goals to secure another impressive victory.
Like Aaron Ramsey's men, Cambridge United have lost just one match this season, with both sides suffering that defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town. They will arrive at OX4 full of confidence after beating Reading in their previous outing.
Neil Harris strengthened his squad over the summer, bringing in a wealth of talent. Gassan Ahadme, Ra'ees Bangura-Williams, Sam Curtis and Callum Perry all joined on loan from Championship clubs and have played important roles in the U's impressive start to the campaign.
Having been tipped by many to struggle towards the lower end of the table following their promotion, Cambridge United have already shown they are capable of competing at a higher level. The play-offs will undoubtedly be on their radar, and if their strong early-season form continues over the coming months, that ambition could prove to be a realistic one.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
While he has not started either of United’s last two victories, Tyler Goodrham has been hugely influential off the bench, playing a key role in the wins over Leicester City and Burton Albion.
With the score still 0-0 after 75 minutes on Saturday, Goodrham was introduced to operate in behind the forwards. He made an immediate impact, threading an exquisite through ball through the eye of a needle for Mo Missanga, who teed up Siriki Dembele to open the scoring. Goodrham was also involved in the second goal before pulling the strings for United’s third, capping his cameo by laying the ball on a plate for Gatlin O’Donkor to slide home.
After suffering a season-ending injury midway through the 2025/26 campaign, Goodrham has worked tirelessly to regain full fitness. He is now beginning to remind everyone exactly what United missed during his absence.
A key individual in the spine of this Cambridge United side is 26-year-old, former Newcastle United academy player, Kelland Watts.
Watts provides Cambridge with a composed and experienced presence at the heart of their defence. The centre-back is comfortable in possession, reads the game well and offers a useful combination of physicality and composure when dealing with opposition attacks. His ability to contribute both defensively and in the build-up makes him an important part of Neil Harris’ side, particularly as the U’s look to maintain their impressive start to the campaign.
He already has two goals to his name this season, adding to the six he scored last campaign. His winner against Reading underlined the threat he poses in the opposition penalty area, as he powered an unstoppable header into the top corner. With that kind of aerial presence, the likes of Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown will need to be particularly vigilant when defending set pieces, ensuring they do not give Watts the opportunity to make his presence felt in the box.
TEAM NEWS
Luka Lynch is expected to return to the squad after missing the game against Burton last weekend through fatigue, while Aidomo Emakhu, Jin Woo Jeon and Ruben Roosken are expected to return back to full training after the international break.
Gatilin O'Donor could be involved from the start given his excellent start to the season, while Mo Missanga will be keen to retain his spot on the wing after starring in the previous three games.
Unavailable: Aidomo Emakhu, Frankie Kent, Ruben Roosken, Jin Woo Jeon
For the visitors, there are no fresh injury concerns. Shayne Lavery and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu could start after the pair were introduced at half time against Reading, with Ra'ees Bangura-Williams and Owen Moxon potentially dropping to the bench.
Gassan Ahadme is set to continue up front, having bagged two goals in three games so far this month.
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and defender Peter Kioso by clicking the buttons below.
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
There have been plenty of memorable encounters between the two sides in recent years, with the most recent coming on Boxing Day in 2023. Oxford United went into half-time a goal down in OX4, but Tyler Goodrham restored parity early in the second half. Just when it looked as though the game was heading for a draw, Ciaron Brown reacted quickest to Cam Brannagan’s parried effort, stooping to power a diving header into the back of the net in the 95th minute and spark wild celebrations.
There have been plenty of other memorable victories over Saturday's visitors, including a 1-0 win on the opening day of the 2022/23 campaign. An 18-year-old Goodrham marked his league debut with a stunning winner to secure all three points. Earlier in 2022, Brannagan scored twice as United claimed a 4-2 victory in February - the Club’s first home match following the passing of United legend Joey Beauchamp.
Last Five Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
26 December 2023 | W | Oxford United 2-1 Cambridge United |
5 August 2023 | L | Cambridge United 1-0 Oxford United |
18 February 2023 | L | Cambridge United 1-0 Oxford United |
6 August 2022 | W | Oxford United 1-0 Cambridge United |
26 February 2022 | W | Oxford United 4-2 Cambridge United |
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)
Barnsley vs Leicester City (12:30pm kick off)
Burton Albion vs Mansfield Town (12:30pm kick off)
Blackpool vs Plymouth Argyle
Bromley vs Huddersfield Town
Leyton Orient vs Stevenage
Luton Town vs Bradford City
Peterborough United vs Doncaster Rovers
Reading vs Notts County
Sheffield Wednesday vs Stockport County
Wigan Athletic vs Wycombe Wanderers
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.
Watch the highlights of our 3-0 victory over Burton Albion!
Watch that super second-half performance against Burton Albion again and remind yourselves of the excellent goals scored on route to victory last weekend!
