Oxford United vs Charlton Athletic | Match Preview

Kassam Stadium
Saturday 14 March, 12:30pm

After taking maximum points from their last three matches, United will be aiming to climb out of the bottom three with a victory over Charlton Athletic. Matt Bloomfield’s side are brimming with confidence and will welcome the chance to compete on home turf once more, eager to build on their impressive run of form in front of their supporters.

Community Matchday

Oxford United are delighted to announce that this year’s Community Matchday, delivered in partnership with Oxford United in the Community, will take place this Saturday when Oxford United welcome Charlton Athletic to the Kassam Stadium. 

Oxford United in the Community, the Club’s Official Charity, were founded in 1989 and use the power of football to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities across Oxfordshire. 

The work of the Club’s charity will be celebrated throughout the day, with a host of community related activities taking place in the Exhibition Bar.

For more information, please click HERE.

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Form Guide - Snapshot (League form)

• Oxford United: W3 D1 L1 from the previous five games. The past three matches have brought a welcome sense of consistency in both team selection and style of play. The results also suggest that January’s new signings have now fully settled into the squad and are performing with growing confidence. The midweek victory over Blackburn Rovers secured another vital three points, and attention now turns to the next challenge as the team look to overcome another side that has spent the majority of the season in the bottom half of the table.
• Charlton Athletic: W2 D2 L1 in their last five. The Addicks also arrive in strong form and will be hugely boosted by their impressive midweek victory away at second-placed Middlesbrough. Having built a nine-point cushion between themselves and the drop zone, Nathan Jones’s side will now be aiming to push on and secure a comfortable mid-table finish.

The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

United have enjoyed a strong record against this weekend’s opponents in recent years, recording five wins and two draws from their last eight meetings. The last three encounters between the sides at the Kassam Stadium have all ended in victories for the Yellows, the most recent being a 2–1 triumph in August 2023 courtesy of a Tyler Goodrham brace.

However, the meeting at The Valley earlier in the 2025/26 campaign accounted for the only defeat in those eight matches. A late strike from American forward Charlie Kelman proved decisive, earning the Addicks all three points.

The overall head-to head record, stretching back to 1968, looks like this:

• Oxford United have won 15 games
• Charlton Athletic have won 19 games
• The teams have drawn 19 times

The Key Battles: Where This Game Could Be Won And Lost

• Jamie Donley is off the mark: The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has made three league starts since returning from injury, registering a goal and an assist in that time. His winner against Blackburn highlighted his sharp instincts in front of goal, reacting quickest to the opportunity, while his all-round display drew widespread praise. With his technical quality, relentless pressing, and dangerous delivery from set pieces, he provides United with a significant attacking threat.
• The technical nous of Sonny Carey: Charlton’s top scorer this season with eight goals, Sonny Carey poses a similar threat to that of Donley. A technically gifted player who likes to operate in the space behind the centre-forward, Carey has arguably been the Addicks’ standout performer so far this campaign and will be aiming to reach double figures for goals before the season concludes.
• Konak and Brannagan dominating the middle: Many U’s supporters have praised the understated impact of Yunus Konak since he broke into the starting line-up against West Bromwich Albion. Starting each of the last three matches, he has quietly gone about his work, bringing energy to the midfield, breaking up opposition attacks, and providing a reliable pivot in United’s engine room. His presence has also allowed skipper Cameron Brannagan to rediscover his best form. With greater licence to operate further up the pitch, the captain has been able to dictate play and build attacks more frequently for the Yellows. Together, the pair have brought a valuable sense of balance, helping United assert greater control in midfield.

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Team News From Both Camps

Other than the small handful of long-term absentees, Matt Bloomfield has a fully fit squad to choose from. Przemysław Płacheta is back in training following his struggles with a calf injury, while Hidde ter Avest could be available for selection following his recent absence through illness.

Unavailable: Tyler Goodrham, Brian De Keersmaecker, Greg Leigh

For the visitors, Nathan Jones has selection headaches after rotating for the game against Middlesbrough. Kanye Ramsay, Lloyd Jones, Amari'i Bell and Lyndon Dykes are all options to return to the starting line up.

However, Conor Coady may keep his place in the middle of the back three, while Charlie Kelman will hope to remain in attack.

Goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski could return to the squad after missing the last three games through injury.

Unavailable: Luke Berry, Joshua Edwards, Matthew Godden, Harvey Knibbs, Collins Sichenje

Charlton Charging Up The Table

1) For much of the season, Charlton have found themselves hovering just above the relegation zone. In recent months the gap between them and the bottom three has fluctuated between one and six points, but it has now grown to nine, and they will be aiming to extend that margin further in the weeks ahead.

2) Under Nathan Jones, Charlton Athletic have developed a disciplined and energetic style of play built around defensive organisation and aggressive pressing. Jones’ side typically looks to win the ball high up the pitch and play forward quickly, prioritising intensity and efficiency over possession-heavy football. This is reflected in the statistics, with Charlton averaging just 42.8% possession this season, the second-lowest figure of any team in the division.

3) Charlton rank among the top eight teams in the division for goals scored from set pieces this season. With 14 goals coming from dead-ball situations, they pose a clear threat through the quality of their deliveries into the box and the aerial presence within their squad. Conor Coady’s goal against Middlesbrough came from a long throw by Harry Clarke, highlighting another dangerous weapon in their attacking arsenal.

4) So far this season, from the twelve games that Charlton have played against fellow teams in the bottom eight, they hold a record of five wins, three draws and four losses. 

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The Long And Short Of It: Sam A Key Man For United

Having recently celebrated his 300th appearance for his hometown club, United defender Sam Long has solidified his place in the team through his leadership and consistently outstanding performances on the right side of defence. Despite strong competition from the likes of Brodie Spencer and Christ Makosso, Long’s form has been such that Matt Bloomfield continues to entrust him as the first-choice right-back.

Valued for his reliability, defensive discipline, and leadership at the back, and capable of playing both right-back and centre-back, he is known for his strong positioning, willingness to put his body on the line, and ability to win both aerial and ground duels. A popular figure in the dressing room and someone widely respected by his teammates, “Mr Oxford” is set to play a crucial role in the final quarter of the season. He is already proving to be a driving force in United’s push to secure their Championship status.

By the Numbers — Fast Facts

• Kick-off: Saturday 14 March, 12:30pm at Kassam Stadium .
• Recent form (last five): Oxford United W3 D1 L1; Charlton Athletic: W2 D2 L1.
• Goals: Both Oxford United and Charlton Athletic have scored 35 goals this season.
• Fun Fact: The U's have scored two or more goals in each of the last three home games against Charlton Athletic.
• Historic classics: Oxford United 3-1 Charlton Athletic (29 December 2022); Charlton Athletic 0-4 Oxford United (19 February 2022); Charlton Athletic 3-3 Oxford United (7 May 1985); Oxford United 5-0 Charlton Athletic (8 December 1984)
• Played for both teams (Years at Oxford United): Tommy Caton (1987-1988); Alex Dyer (1993-1995); Jake Forster-Caskey (2012-2013); Tariqe Fosu (2019-2020); Danny Hylton (2014-2016); Elliot Lee (2021); Jonathan Obika (2017-2019)
• Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (8 goals); Sonny Carey (8 goals).

Voices From The Camp:

Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and  Ciaron Brown Below:

RETAIL

Oxford United are proud to unveil a limited-edition replica shirt, created in collaboration with the University of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum of Art &Archaeology to mark the opening of the museum’s major new exhibition, ‘In Bloom’: How Plants Changed Our World'.

Celebrating the popularity of football, art and culture in the city of Oxford, the shirt draws inspiration from ‘In Bloom’, which explores the stories behind some of Britain’s most beloved blooms.

The shirt is available to buy now, both in-store and online, and is available in short and long sleeve!

Click here to browse the range.

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COMING UP

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We only have a handful of home games left this season, and each will be vitally important in achieving our mission!

Following this Saturday's fixture against Charlton Athletic, we will take on Hull City, Watford and Wrexham between now and the end of April.

*Watford tickets will go on sale next week.

Tickets for these matches are available:

• By clicking HERE
• By calling 01865 337 533
• By visiting the Ticket Office in person

MATCHDAY GUIDES

MATCHDAY STREAMING

Watch the highlights from Wednesday night's victory over Blackburn Rovers!