Oxford United vs Sunderland | Match Preview

Kassam Stadium
Sunday 15 February, 2:00pm

Oxford United's attention turns to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend, as they host Premier League Sunderland at the Kassam Stadium. A victory would see the U's reach the fifth round for the first time since 2017.

Football Special Buses

Football Special buses will be operating for the FA Cup match against Sunderland on Sunday. Click HERE to head to the Bus Company website and enter the date of the match to bring up the appropriate timetable.

Alternatively, click HERE for information on all Football Special Buses (OX1-OX8). Again, enter the date of the match to bring up the appropriate timetable.

Remembering Joey Beauchamp

Oxford United will pay tribute to Joey Beauchamp during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round home tie against Sunderland this Sunday, as we mark four years since his passing.

Widely regarded as one of the Club’s greatest-ever players, Joey represented Oxford United across two spells spanning more than three decades. The former winger made 428 appearances for his boyhood Club, scoring 80 goals.

For more information, click HERE.

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Form Guide - Snapshot (all competitions)

• Oxford United: W1 D1 L3 from the previous five games. United will view this weekend as an ideal opportunity to spark a strong finish to the season. Recent results have been inconsistent, and a victory here would provide a significant boost in momentum, lifting confidence and restoring a feel-good atmosphere around the Club.
• Sunderland: W2 D0 L3 in their last five. The Black Cats have enjoyed an excellent campaign to date, though a dip in recent form has seen them slip down the Premier League standings. They will view this trip to Championship opposition as a prime opportunity to regain momentum and secure their place in the hat for the next round.

How Both Teams Reached This Stage

Oxford United launched their Emirates FA Cup campaign with a hard-earned victory away at MK Dons in the Third Round. After trailing at the break, Will Lankshear drew the visitors level midway through the second half to swing the momentum back in United’s favour.

The Yellows pushed for a winner and came close on several occasions, but the contest remained finely balanced and was forced into extra time. Even after an additional 30 minutes, the sides could not be separated, sending the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

United held their nerve from the spot, confidently converting all four of their penalties, while Matt Ingram proved the hero with a crucial save to secure progression.

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Sunderland also began the competition on the road, travelling to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face fellow Premier League outfit Everton.

The Black Cats struck first, with Frenchman Enzo Le Fée firing them into the lead on the half-hour mark. For much of the contest, that solitary goal looked set to be decisive. However, in the final moments, Everton midfielder James Garner coolly converted from the penalty spot to send the tie into extra time.

An additional 30 minutes still failed to separate the sides, meaning Sunderland, like the Yellows, were forced to settle matters from 12 yards. The shoot-out proved far more straightforward for the visitors: Everton missed each of their first three penalties, while Sunderland showed composure to convert all of theirs and seal their place in the next round.

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The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

Despite now competing in the Premier League, Sunderland have crossed paths with the U’s on a number of occasions in recent years.

The most recent meeting came in April 2025, when goals from Michal Helik and Ben Nelson secured a 2–0 victory for the Yellows at the Kassam Stadium, a result that confirmed Championship status for the 2025/26 campaign.

In total, the sides have met 40 times, with United avoiding defeat in 19 of those encounters, underlining how closely contested this fixture has been over the years.

This will be fourth time that they have met in the FA Cup. Their last meeting in the competition came in the fourth round back in 1992, with Sunderland recording a 3-2 win.

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

• A chance to go for it: The Oxford United squad and their supporters will welcome the chance to turn their focus from league fixtures to the excitement of cup football, embracing the freedom that comes with it. With little pressure on sides outside the Premier League to progress deep into the FA Cup, Matt Bloomfield will see this as the perfect opportunity to take the game to their opponents. Playing in front of the home fans, United can attack with confidence, push forward, and aim to defy expectations.
• Sunderland rotation: With European ambitions in the minds of all associated with Sunderland, there is a good chance the team could see several changes from the midweek game against Liverpool. It will be interesting to understand where the FA Cup lies in terms of priorities for the Black Cats this season, and should they rest several of their big names then it would strengthen United's chances of gaining a positive result.
• Jin Woo off the mark: Since joining in January, South Korean international Jin Woo Jeon has had to wait patiently for his first opportunity to don the yellow. Making his debut in the closing stages of Tuesday’s clash with Norwich, he impressed with his energy and enthusiasm. Now, Jin Woo will be eager to earn a starting spot and give the U’s faithful a proper glimpse of the talent and excitement he can bring to the team.

Team News From Both Camps

Will Lankshear will make his return following his one-game suspension, while Jack Currie and Jamie Donley could be available too following spells on the sideline through injury.

Unavailable: Brian De Keersmaecker, Tyler Goodrham, Nik Prelec, Hidde ter Avest, Greg Leigh

For the visitors, the biggest injury concern is with club captain Granit Xhaka. The former Arsenal midfielder has missed Sunderland's last four games with an ankle injury and is again unlikely to be fit for this game. 

Bertrand Traore and January signing Jocelin Ta Bi are also likely to miss the game with injury. 

Black Cats Bouncing Under Regis Le Bris

1) Until Wednesday night’s defeat to Liverpool, Sunderland boasted the Premier League’s last remaining unbeaten home record. Currently sitting 11th in the table, having spent much of the campaign hovering around the top eight, the Black Cats have surpassed expectations in impressive fashion, particularly after many predicted an immediate return to the Championship following last season’s promotion.

Much of that success can be attributed to the culture instilled by former Rennes head coach Régis Le Bris. The Frenchman replaced Mike Dodds, now Oxford United’s assistant coach, in June 2024 and has overseen a clear transformation in Sunderland’s approach. Under his guidance, they have adopted an expansive, attack-minded style that has delivered entertainment and consistent positive results for their supporters.

2) Sunderland have developed a clear and identifiable style of play in the Premier League this season, built around high energy, structured pressing, and quick transitions. Like most at the top level, they play out from the back with composure, using technical midfielders to progress the ball through the thirds before releasing pace in wide areas. Their full-backs push on aggressively to provide width, while the front line interchanges fluidly, making them difficult to mark. Out of possession, they press with intensity and look to force turnovers in advanced areas, turning defence into attack at speed. 

3) Although they are performing well this season, Sunderland have struggled slightly to score goals. With 27 goals scored in the league, only Wolves and Nottingham Forest have scored fewer and their top scorer only has five goals to his name.

Sunderland's Danger Men: Who Should the U's Be Wary Of?

• Brian Brobbey: The top scorer for Sunderland is indeed their number nine, Brian Brobbey. The Dutchman, signed for a fee in the region of £18 million from Ajax in the summer, has demonstrated his quality with several game-winning or point-salvaging goals this season. His game is built around power, pace and a natural eye for goal. Brobbey is a constant physical presence for defenders, using his strength to hold the ball up and bring teammates into play, while also possessing the acceleration to run in behind. He is particularly dangerous inside the penalty area, where his sharp movement and clinical finishing make him a reliable focal point in attack.

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• Wilson Isidor: The French forward had a great start to the season, scoring four goals in the opening ten matches. However, he has struggled to nail down a place in the starting team since suffering an injury at the start of January and due to the form of Brobbey. There is a good chance Sunderland rotate for this game and Isidor could well be in the team from the start. Isidor offers pace, directness and intelligent movement in the final third. The forward is at his most dangerous when running at defenders, using his acceleration and close control to stretch back lines and create space for teammates. Comfortable drifting into wide areas or attacking central channels, Isidor provides energy and unpredictability, while his composure in front of goal makes him a consistent threat in and around the box.

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• Nordi Mukiele: One of Sunderland’s standout performers this season, the 28-year-old wing-back has been influential at both ends of the pitch. Defensively reliable and tactically disciplined, he has also provided a significant attacking outlet down the right flank. His constant willingness to surge forward has yielded one goal and four assists, underlining his impact in the final third. Drawing on experience gained at PSG and Bayer Leverkusen, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective and consistent full-backs this campaign.

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By the Numbers — Fast Facts

• Kick-off: Sunday 15 February, 2:00pm at Kassam Stadium .
• Recent form (last five): Oxford United W1 D1 L3; Sunderland : W2 D0 L3.
• Goals: Both teams have scored 29 goals in all competitions this season.
• Fun Fact: Since 2018, the two teams have played eachother 11 times and five of those games have finished 1-1.
• Historic classics: Oxford United 2-0 Sunderland (25 April 2025); Sunderland 2-3 Oxford United (26 April 1994); Oxford United 5-1 Sunderland (7 October 1972)
• Played for both teams (Years at Oxford United): John Byrne (1993-1995); David Connolly (2014); Martin Gray (1996-1999); Phil Gray (2000-2002); Chris Maguire (2015-2017); Andy Melville (1990-1993); Anton Rogan (1993-1995); David Rush (1994-1997); Jerome Sinclair (2019); Colin Todd (1984); Ray Train (1982-1984); Dean Whitehead (1999-2004)
• Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (7 goals); Brian Brobbey  (5 goals).

Voices From The Camp:

Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and Sam Long Below:

RETAIL

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COMING UP

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Oxford United will be back in action at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 28 February, hosting West Bromwich Albion in the Sky Bet Championship.

FA Cup excitement isn’t limited to the first team, with cup fixtures also on the horizon for the under-18s and women’s team. The youngsters welcome Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup, while the women face Charlton Athletic in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Tickets for all of these matches are available:

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

MATCHDAY GUIDES

MATCHDAY STREAMING

Hear from Oxford United Academy star Mo Missanga, who discusses his football journey so far!