Oxford United vs Derby County | Match Preview

Kassam Stadium | Saturday 18 October, 12:30pm

The U's return from the international break looking to get back to winning ways against Derby County.

Can We Talk? Matchday

We are proud to host our first Can We Talk? Matchday this weekend. The day will shine a light on the important work the Club continues to do in raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention.

We’re delighted to be joined by Baton of Hope, who will be based in and around the Exhibition Bar behind the South Stand. Their team will be meeting supporters, sharing resources, and running two short seminars at 11:00am and 11:30am. Make sure to visit the Exhibition Bar to meet the Baton of Hope team and learn more about their invaluable work.

To mark the occasion, both Oxford United and Derby County players will warm up in special Can We Talk? shirts, highlighting the devastating reality that someone in the UK dies by suicide every 90 minutes. After the match, a selection of these shirts will be signed and auctioned to raise funds for vital mental health services across Oxfordshire and beyond.

Form Guide - Snapshot

• Oxford United: W1 D2 L2 from the previous five games. Despite an unfortunate defeat away to Watford last time out, the performances continue to show real promise. The U’s will be well aware that encouraging displays must soon start translating into points, especially with a busy Christmas period fast approaching.
• Derby County: W1 D3 L1 in their last five. The Rams have drawn each of their last three matches 1-1, and recent performances suggest an upward trend following a challenging start to the season. With just one defeat in their four away games so far — and that coming on the opening day — they'll travel with a sense of growing confidence ahead of this fixture.

The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

Oxford and Derby have faced each other just 16 times since their first meeting in 1968, with the U’s unbeaten in more than half of those encounters.

Since both clubs found themselves in League One in 2022, they’ve met six times, with Derby winning twice, Oxford once, and the remaining three ending in draws.

Last season, both fixtures finished level — including a 1-1 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

The Connections - Worn Both Badges

• Louie Sibley: The U's midfielder signed for Oxford in 2024 from Derby County. Sibley played 173 times for the Rams, scoring 20 goals and claiming 11 assists.
• Dave Langan: Republic of Ireland international David Langan made over 100 appearances for both clubs during an impressive career. A dynamic right-back, he came through the youth ranks at Derby County and went on to make 143 appearances for the Rams between 1977 and 1980. Following a spell at Birmingham City, Langan joined Oxford United in 1984 and quickly became a key figure. In his debut season, he played a vital role in the team that won the Second Division title, and he was also part of the squad that lifted the Milk Cup at Wembley in 1986. Langan made 136 appearances for the U’s and remains a much-loved figure among the Oxford faithful.
• Paul Simpson: Now serving as assistant to former U’s player Steve McClaren with the Jamaican national team, Paul Simpson was a fan favourite at Oxford United during the late 1980s. He joined the Yellows in October 1988 from Manchester City for a fee of £200,000 and quickly made his mark, scoring 50 goals in 162 appearances from the left wing. Simpson departed in 1992 to join Derby County, where he enjoyed another highly successful spell. He netted 48 goals in 186 games for the Rams and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in 1996.
• Tommy Mooney: Best known for his time at Watford in the late 1990s, Tommy Mooney joined Oxford United from Swindon Town in 2004. Although his stay at the Kassam Stadium lasted just one season, it proved a successful one — he finished as the club’s top scorer for the 2004/05 campaign with 15 goals in 42 appearances. Prior to that, Mooney had a short loan spell at Derby County in 2003, pulling on the shirt just eight times.

Eustace's Engine: The Tactical Identity Driving Derby Forward

1) Derby County have performed well on the road this season so far, losing just once in their four away league games. Under head coach John Eustace , who succeeded Paul Warne in February, the Rams have adopted a high-intensity style built on being physically aggressive in all areas of the pitch. 

2) Former U’s striker Carlton Morris has made an encouraging start to life at Derby County following his summer move from Luton Town. He hit the ground running with four goals in his first four appearances, setting a positive tone early in the campaign. While he hasn’t found the net in recent weeks, Morris continues to play a key role in Derby’s system and remains a vital figure in their attacking setup.

3) Derby County have implemented a fluid 4-2-3-1 system this season, designed to provide attacking width and consistent support for the lone striker. The formation also aims to offer greater midfield stability — a crucial factor, particularly in away fixtures. Out of possession, John Eustace demands discipline and compactness from his side, ensuring they remain well-organised and difficult to break down. With only four goals conceded across the past five games, there is evidence that this is working.

4) The Rams currently possess the lowest xG of any team in the league (8.0), despite being in the top half of the table for shots on target. 

Patrick Agyemang: Derby's danger man in attack

The 24-year-old USA international joined Derby County in the summer for a reported fee of around £8 million. He made an immediate impact, providing the assist for the winning goal on his debut against West Brom in September — a moment that instantly showcased his quality to the Rams faithful. A second assist followed shortly after in the draw at Wrexham, before Agyemang netted his first goal for the club in the 1-1 home draw with Southampton earlier this month.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Agyemang brings a commanding physical presence and poses a significant aerial threat in the final third. With his height and strength, set pieces could become a valuable asset for Derby County throughout the season.

By the Numbers — Fast Facts

• Kick-off: Saturday 18 October, 12:30pm at the Kassam Stadium.
• Recent form (last five): Oxford W1 D2 L2; Derby: W1 D3 L1.
• Goals: Oxford have scored 10 this season, Derby have scored 11.
• Fun Fact: Oxford United are undefeated in their previous two games kicking off at 12:30PM.
• Historic classics: Derby 1-2 Oxford (15 August 2023); Oxford 2-0 Derby (13 November 1993); Derby 0-1 Oxford (26 September 1987).
• Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (3 goals); Carlton Morris (4 goals).
• Wore both badges (years played for Oxford): Sam Baldock (2022-2023),  Kevin Francis (1998-2000), Jamie Hanson (2018-2022), Steve McClaren (1989-1992), Carlton Morris (2014), Kemar Roofe (2015-2016), Dean Saunders (1987-1988), Andy Thomas (1980-1986), Colin Todd (1984).

Voices from the Camp: 

Watch Gary Rowett & Stan Mills' full press conferences below:

RETAIL

The club shop will open at 10:00am on Saturday, so pop in and browse the latest 2025/26 merchandise. This includes the brand new Icon Collection, released earlier this week.

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Available in-store and online. To check it out on our online shop (Available 24/7) - click here.

MATCHDAY GUIDES

MATCHDAY STREAMING

Watch Oxford United's Can We Talk? video!