Fresh from earning a well-deserved point against Bradford City at the weekend, the U’s return to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday evening for another tough test as they welcome Stockport County.
WHEN AND WHERE
The match against the Hatters takes place on Tuesday 27 October, kicking off at 7:45pm 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.
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 and notifications via the Official Oxford United App, as well as the key moments on X and Instagram: @OUFCOfficial.
GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS
Since their promotion to the EFL in 2022, Stockport County have gone from strength to strength, establishing themselves as one of the most consistent sides near the top of each division they have competed in. After suffering play-off disappointment in 2023, County bounced back in style the following season, claiming the League Two title. They have since recorded back-to-back third-place finishes in League One, although both campaigns have ended in play-off heartbreak, most notably last season's defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The Hatters have started the new campaign in much the same fashion, combining impressive football with another strong league position. Unbeaten in their last six outings, County are playing with confidence and finding the net regularly. Their away form has also been impressive, having suffered just one defeat in their six league trips on the road so far.
In the dugout for the visitors is a former player turned manager in the form of Jim McNulty. McNulty has quickly established himself as one of the promising young managers in the EFL. Having enjoyed a successful spell at Rochdale, where he oversaw a steady improvement before guiding the club back into the Football League via the National League play-offs, McNulty has built a reputation for playing attractive, attacking football while developing young talent. Now back at Stockport, where he previously played back in 2008, he will be hoping to bring the same winning mentality and style of play to Edgeley Park.
HOW ARE THE YELLOWS SHAPING UP?
Aaron Ramsey's side are currently navigating an extremely busy period of the season, with Tuesday evening's clash marking their third game in the space of just seven days. Saturday's draw against Bradford City was perhaps a result the U's could be reasonably satisfied with, given the way the game unfolded. United enjoyed the better of the first half but struggled to build any real momentum after the break, with a share of the points ultimately a fair reflection of the contest.
However, with home advantage, the result could also be viewed as another opportunity missed, particularly with the Yellows having now drawn three of their last five matches. Ramsey's challenge will be to turn these encouraging performances into more consistent victories. Sitting just outside the play-off places, Oxford know that converting some of those draws into wins could quickly see them climb the table and establish themselves among the leading sides in the division.
The U's remain unbeaten in OX4 this season, with the backing of the home supporters playing a significant role in their impressive form at the Kassam Stadium. Playing in front of their own fans has given the side an added confidence, and they will believe they have the quality to match and get the better of any team in the division on home soil.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
Michal Helik has made a strong start to the campaign and looks as solid as he ever has been at the heart of Oxford United's defence. The Polish centre-half brings valuable experience, leadership and physical presence to the backline and will no doubt face a tough challenge on Tuesday night against Stockport, who are among the highest-scoring teams in League One. A commanding centre-back, known for his strength in the air, commitment in the tackle and ability to read the game, Helik is also a threat from set-pieces at the attacking end of the pitch and scored his first of the season in the victory over Wigan last week.
The leading figure for Stockport County this season is the man that Michal Helik (and Ciaron Brown) will be given the task of keeping quiet! Kyle Wootton is the top goal scorer in League One so far this season with nine goals to his name from the Hatters opening 12 fixtures.
Wootton has established himself as a key figure in Stockport County's attack since joining the club from Notts County in the summer of 2022. The powerful centre-forward offers a physical presence up front, combining his strength and aerial ability with an impressive eye for goal. Particularly dangerous inside the penalty area, Wootton has become a consistent source of goals for the Hatters, playing an important role in their promotion-winning League Two campaign in 2023/24. His goalscoring record and ability to bring others into play make him a major threat for opposition defences.
TEAM NEWS
United remain without midfielder Jamie McDonnell, whose hamstring injury is expected to keep him out for the rest of the calendar year, and defender Ruben Roosken, who has not yet featured this season. Roosken has, however, returned to training and could feature in the coming weeks.
Jin Woo Jeon is also back in training after a back problem that has kept him out since scoring away to Aldershot Town in pre-season.
Ramsey does have some selection decisions to make, and one of those is whether to recall Mark Harris into the team after deciding to start Gatlin O'Donkor last time out. Louie Sibley, meanwhile, performed well off the bench on Saturday and will be pushing for a start this time out.
Aidomo Emakhu made his return to the side off the bench on Tuesday night and will also be pushing to be in from the start.
Stockport are virtually at full strength, with defender Kyron Gordon the only injury concern ahead of the game having missed the last three through injury.
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United First Team Coach Chris Gunter and winger Siriki Dembélé by clicking the buttons below.
Siriki Dembélé Press Conference
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Oxford United suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Stockport County at Edgeley Park in the last meeting between these two teams on Saturday 5 March 2011, despite taking the lead early in the second half. After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Tom Craddock put the U's ahead just four minutes after the restart, giving the visitors a platform to build on. However, Stockport responded through Matthew Paterson in the 76th minute before Greg Tansey struck deep into stoppage time to snatch all three points for the hosts.
The defeat was a particularly frustrating one for Oxford, who looked set to take something from the game before County's late winner. The result was watched by 4,119 supporters at Edgeley Park, with the U's also reduced to ten men following Anthony Tonkin's dismissal in the 66th minute.
Last Five Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
5 March 2011 | L | Stockport County 2-1 Oxford United |
18 September 2010 | L | Oxford United 0-1 Stockport County |
11 March 2006 | L | Stockport County 2-1 Oxford United |
27 August 2006 | D | Oxford United 1-1 Stockport County |
9 May 1999 | W | Oxford United 5-0 Stockport County |
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE ONE ON TUESDAY
Here are the other games taking place in EFL Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening (All 7:45pm kick-off).
Leicester City vs Wigan Athletic
Luton Town vs Doncaster Rovers
MK Dons vs Bromley
Sheffield Wednesday vs Cambridge United
WHICH KIT WILL UNITED BE WEARING?
The boys will be wearing the 2026/27 home kit for Tuesday evening's match. Not got yours yet? Click the button below to browse on our online shop.
CARFAX COLLECTION
With winter approaching and temperatures beginning to drop, now is the perfect time to wrap up warm in some Oxford United gear - and the Carfax Collection has everything you need.
Worn by the Men's First Team players as they arrive at the stadium on matchdays, the collection features a range of stylish and comfortable pieces, including jackets, gilets, sweatshirts and jogging bottoms.
Stay warm and show your support in style this winter.
Guess Who?
Have you every played a game of Guess Who? Women's Team players Emma Thompson and Riva Casley went head-to-head! You can watch this exciting battle below.
