Find out everything you need to know ahead of Oxford United's first home pre-season fixture against Crawley Town.
WHEN AND WHERE
Oxford United host Crawley Town in their third pre-season fixture of the summer.
The match takes place at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday 28 July, with the fixture kicking off at 7:00pm.
There is no streaming available for this fixture.
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: @OUFCOfficial.
GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS
Crawley Town will be playing in League Two for the 2026/27 campaign having narrowly avoided relegation to the National League, finishing one point and one position above the bottom two.
Nicknamed The Red Devils, Crawley was founded in 1896 and plays its home matches at the Broadfield Stadium in West Sussex. After spending much of their history in non-league football, Crawley enjoyed a rapid rise through the divisions in the early 2010s, earning promotion to the Football League in 2011. The club have made headlines in recent seasons with a number of eye-catching achievements. A memorable 3-0 FA Cup third-round triumph over Premier League outfit Leeds United in 2021 ranks among the club's greatest results, while their successful 2023/24 play-off campaign secured a return to League One and marked another significant milestone in the club's history.
Despite a disappointing campaign last time out, The Red Devils have aspirations of climbing the League Two table and returning to League One, and to lay the foundations for sustained success in the Football League.
Tuesday's visitors are managed by a name well-known in the English Football League. As a player, he represented the likes of Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United and now Colin Kazim-Richards is looking to kick start his managerial career with a successful season with Crawley Town.
After being appointed in March 2026, his first role in management following a spell as a coach within the Arsenal academy, Kazim-Richards sealed the club's safety in the football league before signing a new deal in May.
Since taking charge, Kazim-Richards has sought to instil an energetic, front-foot style of football built on intensity, organisation and attacking intent. His approach emphasises high pressing, confidence in possession and a strong collective spirit. Appointed at a time when Crawley had gone almost three months without a league victory, he made an immediate impact by winning each of his opening two matches, guiding the Red Devils to the vital points they needed to secure their League Two status.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
The Yellows have had a very successful pre-season so far, following up the warm weather training camp in Spain with victories in both their friendlies so far. The 3-1 victory away to Aldershot Town was followed up with another win on the road on Saturday at Barnet, winning by two goals to one.
With regular first-teamers getting valuable minutes out on the pitch as well as a number of academy players being given their chance to impress on the big stage, Aaron Ramsey's squad is looking good ahead of the opening weekend of the 2026/27 season.
The visitors have played just one pre-season fixture so far, claiming a 1-0 victory away to National League outfit Eastleigh on Saturday to make a positive start to their preparations.
Crawley have also been active in the transfer market, strengthening their squad with ten new arrivals since June. Among the additions are experienced centre-back Priestley Farquharson, who joins after spells with Newport County and Walsall, former Tottenham Hotspur academy prospect Pele Arganese-McDermott, and midfielder Jude Arthurs, who was a key figure in Bromley's League Two title-winning campaign, missing just three league matches throughout the season.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
With goals in both of the U's pre-season matches so far, young forward Gatlin O'Donkor is showing Aaron Ramsey what he is capable of in the hope that he can cement a spot in the side in the upcoming campaign.
A product of Oxford United's academy, the pacey striker made his first-team breakthrough as a teenager and has continued to gain valuable experience in senior football, most notably at Bristol Rovers during the 2024/25 season. Known for his speed, direct running and eye for goal, the 21-year-old offers a constant threat in behind defences and will be eager to continue his goalscoring run on Tuesday night.
Another notable new addition to the Crawley Town side in recent months is former Premier League goalkeeper Vito Mannone. The former Arsenal, Sunderland and Reading keeper joined the club in June as a player-coach, and he will bring a wealth of valuable experience ahead of the new campaign.
Having enjoyed a career spanning the Premier League and across Europe, the former Arsenal shot-stopper also earned nine caps for Italy at senior level. Renowned for his composure, shot-stopping ability and leadership, Mannone provides a calming presence between the posts and invaluable experience to a youthful Crawley squad.
PREVIOUS MEETING
The sides last met in 2019, when the Red Devils welcomed the U's in the EFL Trophy. On that occasion, Karl Robinson's Oxford United cruised to a 4-1 victory, with Anthony Forde on target before Robert Hall stole the show with a hat-trick.
Overall, the teams have faced each other 13 times. United hold the upper hand with seven wins and three draws from those meetings.
Landmark Collection Has Launched!
Oxford United are pleased to unveil the 2026/27 Landmark Collection, a bespoke set of warm-up apparel to be worn by the Men’s and Women’s Teams throughout their pre-match preparations this season.
Available as a quarter zip and jersey, the collection draws inspiration from Oxford Stone, the limestone quarried in Headington and used across many of the city’s iconic buildings.
Art Inspires - Oxford United 2026/27 Home Kit
Check out the launch video for our new home kit.
