Kassam Stadium
Saturday 22 November, 3:00pm
The U’s return from the international break looking to get back to winning ways as they host a Middlesbrough side sitting second in the Sky Bet Championship.
Traffic Information
Roadworks on Grenoble Road will continue to cause restrictions for supporters travelling by car to the upcoming home game against Middlesbrough.
Plan ahead and get to the stadium early to make your matchday experience as smooth as possible.
Form Guide - Snapshot
- Oxford United: W1 D1 L3 from the previous five games. A tight loss at West Bromwich Albion before the international break will have stung, and Gary Rowett’s men will be eager to put things right with a big performance at home.
- Middlesbrough: W2 D2 L1 in their last five. Boro head to the Kassam riding a strong run of form and armed with the fourth-best away record in the league. Even with the recent upheaval of Rob Edwards’ exit as Head Coach, they will still back themselves to come away with a result.
The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check
Historically, Middlesbrough have held the upper hand in this fixture. The sides have met 29 times since 1966, with Boro winning 18 of those encounters.
Without a victory over this weekend’s opponents since 1990, the U’s will be eager to end the long wait and pull themselves clear of the relegation zone. The clubs have faced each other only twice in the past seven years—both meetings coming last season—and the most recent clash saw Oxford take the lead at the Riverside through Michal Helik, before Middlesbrough struck late to turn the game around 2–1.
The Connections - Worn Both Badges
- Josh McEachran: A graduate of the Chelsea academy, McEachran enjoyed successful spells with both Clubs. He joined Middlesbrough in the summer of 2012, making 38 appearances and earning the Club’s Young Player of the Season award. Following further stints with Brentford, Birmingham, and MK Dons, the former England youth international signed for the U’s in July 2023. He went on to play a pivotal role in Oxford’s promotion campaign, featuring 36 times at the heart of midfield.
- Joe Bennett: A product of the Middlesbrough academy, Bennett made his Premier League debut in 2008 and went on to record 92 appearances for Boro, earning their Young Player of the Season award in 2011–12. He later moved to Premier League side Aston Villa before enjoying further spells with Brighton, Wigan, and- most notably- Cardiff. In November 2023, Bennett joined Oxford United, quickly establishing himself as a key part of the defensive unit that secured promotion to the Championship.
Boro’s Early Surge: The key to their flying start
1) Middlesbrough sit second in the Sky Bet Championship, five points behind leaders Coventry City. Under former Head Coach Rob Edwards, they became specialists in tight contests, consistently finding a way to edge out opponents: seven of their eight league wins this season have come by a single-goal margin.
2) However, this may be as good a time as any for the U’s to face Boro, following last week’s news that Rob Edwards had departed to join Premier League side Wolves. With Edwards and his backroom staff moving on and a new manager not yet appointed, it remains to be seen how the upheaval has affected the team’s stability and structure.
3) Boro have lost only two matches this season, both coming away from home. With the third-best defensive record in the league, their success has been built on organisation at the back and clinical finishing when opportunities arise. The experience of defenders such as Luke Ayling and Matt Targett has been central to their strong start.
4) The team have the third-lowest xG in the division (15.6), ahead of only Swansea City and Derby County. This highlights both their dependence on a strong defensive structure and their impressive efficiency in converting the limited chances they create.
Luke Ayling: Leading From The Back
Ayling re-joined the club permanently in May 2024, having originally arrived on loan that January, and has since played a major role in transforming Middlesbrough’s defence. Now 34, the former Leeds United defender has featured predominantly at centre-back and, wearing the armband, has been instrumental in Boro’s excellent defensive record.
He has also contributed at the other end of the pitch with a goal and two assists this season, continuing to pose a threat from set pieces—something he regularly demonstrated during his Premier League spell with Leeds. A positive influence in the dressing room and a natural leader with years of top-level experience, Ayling will be central once again to Boro’s plan to keep the U’s at bay this weekend.
By the Numbers — Fast Facts
- Kick-off: Saturday 22 November, 3:00pm at the Kassam Stadium.
- Recent form (last five): Oxford W1 D1 L3; Middlesbrough: W2 D2 L1.
- Goals: Oxford have scored 16 goals this season, Middlesbrough have scored 19.
- Fun Fact: Four of the last five meetings between the two sides have seen over 2.5 goals in the game.
- Historic classics: Oxford 3-1 Boro (24 February 1990); Oxford 1-0 Boro (8 April 1985); Oxford 4-0 Boro (19 August 1972)
- Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (5 goals); Hayden Hackney (3 goals).
- Played For Both Clubs (Years played for Oxford): Phil Gilchrist (1995-1999), Marvin Johnson (2016-2017), Dave Kitson (2013-2014), Robbie Mustoe (1986-1990), Jordan Rhodes (2007), Dwight Tiendalli (2017-2018), Dean Whitehead (1999-2004), Dean Windass (1998-1999)
Voices from the Camp:
Watch Gary Rowett and Sam Long's Press Conferences below:
TICKETS
A limited number of tickets for this weekend's clash with Middlesbrough remain on sale. Secure your seats for this exciting encounter in OX4 by:
- Clicking HERE
- Calling 01865 337 533
- Visiting the Ticket Office in person
RETAIL
The Club Shop opens at 11:00am on Saturday, so be sure to stop by and check out the latest 2025/26 merchandise. This includes the newly launched Manor leisure range and our full Christmas collection — giving you plenty of gifting options for the whole family this winter.
Matchday Guide
Get ready for matchday at the Kassam Stadium!
Our comprehensive guide will give you all you need to know before your visit. Click the arrow below to explore travel info, stadium facilities, and top tips for making the most of your day.
Disabled Supporters Guide
Plan your visit with confidence using our Disabled Supporters Guide to the Kassam Stadium. Inside, you’ll find all the key information on accessibility, facilities, and matchday support. Click the arrow below to learn more.
Away Supporters Guide
Visiting the Kassam Stadium as an away fan? Our Away Supporters Guide has everything you need to know before matchday — from travel and parking to facilities and seating. Click the arrow below to get prepared for your trip.
Stream LIVE On OUTV
Don’t miss a minute of the action – stream the game live on the Club’s OUTV platform.
International fans can watch the game live, depending on their location. The match is streamable worldwide, except for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
