Kassam Stadium
Saturday 28 February, 3:00pm

The Yellows head into this fixture knowing that three points are vital as they face a West Bromwich Albion side sitting just two places above them in the Sky Bet Championship table. Back on home turf, United will be confident of claiming a much-needed win against opponents who are currently enduring an eleven-match winless run in the league.

Football Special Buses / Traffic Information

The A34/A4130 Milton Interchange will be closed this weekend, so the bus service is being altered.

One of the OX2 football special buses will start from Steventon, with the other from Didcot being diverted via Milton Park, and then right into Milton Village to Drayton. 

Due to heavy traffic from Didcot to Drayton, the OX2 will pick up at all the Didcot stops 30 minutes earlier than normal. 

It is expected both OX2 buses will pick up in Drayton at the normal times for a 3pm kick-off.

Anyone wishing to board at Milton Heights will need to head to Steventon. Those wishing to get off at Steventon on the return journey will need to ensure they board the correct OX2.

The Milton interchange closure will impact fans who live in Didcot, Milton, East Hendred, Wantage, Grove and surrounding villages who drive and use this junction to get on the A34 to come to the Stadium. 

An alternative for fans in the Wantage and Grove area is to use the OX1 Football Special bus which starts in Charlton, then picks up in Wantage, Grove, East Hanney, Marcham and Abingdon. Click here for the OX1 bus information.  The PDF timetable on the website is out of date so please insert the date of the fixture to access the correct pick-up times.

Form Guide - Snapshot (League form)

• Oxford United: W0 D2 L3 from the previous five games. Despite earning impressive draws away to the sides currently occupying the automatic promotion places in recent weeks, United have yet to turn those performances into consistent points elsewhere. Wednesday night’s clash  against Stoke City saw an increase in chances created, and head coach Matt Bloomfield will be urging his players to maintain that attacking intent. With opportunities beginning to come more regularly, United will look to turn that creativity into goals against a West Bromwich Albion side currently struggling for form.
• West Bromwich Albion: W0 D2 L3 in their last five. The Baggies make the trip to OX4 on an eleven-match winless run in the league, having found the net just five times during that spell. They also arrive without a head coach following the departure of Eric Ramsay on Tuesday evening. Away form has been another concern, with West Bromwich Albion still searching for their first league victory on the road since 1 October.

The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

The first meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 2-1 victory for the Baggies at The Hawthorns. After Will Lankshear gave the U’s the lead with half an hour remaining, an own goal and a strike from Aune Heggebo turned the game in favour of the hosts.

The last clash at the Kassam Stadium came in October 2024, when a stoppage-time goal from Dane Scarlett rescued a point for the hosts.

Overall, the two sides have met 26 times since 1973, with the U’s recording five wins and eight draws. Their most recent victory in this fixture dates back to 1998, when Malcolm Shotton’s side secured a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Joey Beauchamp, Paul Powell and Simon Marsh.

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

• Stan Mills: The young winger has been playing well in recent weeks, causing constant problems for his opposing full-back with his energy and direct running. After providing a clever assist for Ciaron Brown's goal against Stoke City on Wrexham, Mills will take plenty of confidence into this game knowing he will be up against a team that concede a high volume of goals.
• Christ Makosso vs Aune Heggebo: Congo international Christ Makosso has emerged as one of the standout performers among Matt Bloomfield’s January additions. Composed in possession and sharp in his defensive reading of the game, the former Luton Town centre-back has brought both calmness and authority to the back line, consistently breaking up opposition attacks with his anticipation and physical presence. He is likely to have a key role on Saturday when tasked with containing West Bromwich Albion striker Aune Heggebo. With eight goals and three assists to his name this season, the Norwegian international is a clear attacking danger. Under Eric Ramsay he had drifted in and out of the side, but under interim boss James Morrison, THeggebo could well be favoured to start ahead of Josh Maja.
• Charlie Taylor Stansfield vs Will Lankshear: The Albion defence is marshalled by the vastly experienced Charlie Taylor. The former Burnley and Leeds United defender boasts over 300 appearances across the Premier League and Championship, and will look to provide leadership and composure at the back during a challenging period for the Baggies. He is also likely to be tasked with containing the lively Will Lankshear. The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward thrives on the physical side of the game, relishing duels with centre-halves, and will aim to use his energy, movement and persistence to trouble Taylor and the Albion backline.

Team News From Both Camps

For United, Brian De Keersmaecker will miss the rest of the season after making the decision to undergo surgery on the shoulder injury that has seen him ruled out since our win at Leicester City in January.

Jamie McDonnell and Brodie Spencer both remain doubts after undergoing scans on respective ankle injuries suffered last weekend. Jamie Donley was also an absentee on Wednesday night and is in line to return to the squad in the next week.

Unavailable: Tyler Goodrham, Brian De Keersmaecker, Greg Leigh

For the Baggies, centre-half Chris Mepham remains out of action with a hamstring injury suffered just over two weeks ago, while Karlan Grant also remains absent with the same injury.

Interim boss James Morrison is likely to make significant changes to the team in terms of style and personnel following the departure of Eric Ramsay earlier this week.

Unavailable: Chris Mepham, Tammer Bany, Karlan Grant, Joshua Griffiths

An Assessment On The Baggies Recent Form

1) West Bromwich Albion appointed former Minnesota United FC boss Eric Ramsay as head coach in early January, with the club sitting 19th in the EFL Championship and six points clear of the bottom three. Seven weeks on, the picture has changed dramatically. The Baggies now find themselves 21st in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, and once again searching for leadership following Ramsay’s departure earlier this week after only nine games in charge.

2) After claiming 10 points from 12 in the opening few weeks of the season, the team were being favoured for a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2021. However, it has proved to be a difficult campaign for the club so far and the hope now will be to survive in the Championship ahead of next season.

3) Only Sheffield Wednesday and the Yellows have scored fewer goals than West Bromwich Albion in the Championship this season. That statistic is made more striking by the fact the Baggies sit ninth in the division’s expected goals (xG) rankings, underlining that chance creation has not been the primary issue. Instead, their struggles have stemmed from a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal.

Defensive frailties have also contributed to their difficulties. With 50 goals conceded so far, only three sides in the Championship have shipped more, highlighting problems at both ends of the pitch.

4) West Bromwich Albion’s primary attacking threat, Isaac Price, has been effectively contained in recent weeks, with opponents limiting his impact on games. As a result, the side have struggled to build attacking rhythm. With both Price and Jayson Molumby finding it harder to operate in space and dictate play, leading striker Josh Maja has often been left short of quality service in the final third.

Will Lankshear Aiming For Double Figures

Will Lankshear quickly established himself as a key attacking force for Oxford United in the early stages of the season. Despite being a young forward with little experience at this level, is quickly became known he was up for the fight and had the quality to produce in the Championship. 

The 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur loanee has netted six league goals, showcasing a natural eye for goal and an ability to find space in crowded areas. His composure in front of goal, combined with intelligent movement and a willingness to press defenders, makes him a constant threat in the final third. 

However, Lankshear is now without a goal since the FA Cup Third Round victory over MK Dons, and will be keen to get back on the scoresheet at a pivotal time of the season. The target for the youngster will be hitting double figures by the end of the campaign, which would be an impressive return considering his age and the demands of Championship-level football, highlighting his potential to become a prolific scorer in years to come.

By the Numbers — Fast Facts

• Kick-off: Saturday 28 February, 3:00pm at Kassam Stadium .
• Recent form (last five): Oxford United W0 D2 L3; West Bromwich Albion : W0 D2 L3.
• Goals: Oxford have scored 29 goals this season, West Brom have scored 33.
• Fun Fact: Only one of the last five meetings between these two teams has seen 3 or more goals scored.
• Historic classics: Oxford United 3-0 West Bromwich Albion (29 September 1998); Oxford United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion (17 February 1998); West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Oxford United (4 October 1997)
• Played for both teams (Years at Oxford United): Mark Angel (1995-1998); John Durnin (1989-1993); Kyle Edwards (2024-2025); Phil Gilchrist (1995-1999); Chris Hargreaves (2005-2007 & 2010); Will Lankshear (2025-present); Mickey Lewis (1988-1999); Matt Phillips (2024-2026); Darren Purse (1996-1998); John Trewick (1984-1987); Phil Whitehead (1993-1998)
• Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (6 goals); Aune Heggebo (8 goals).

Voices From The Camp:

Watch the Press Conferences of Matt Bloomfield and Will Lankshear Below:

RETAIL

This weekend, we’ve got two fantastic offers lined up for you! Available both in-store and online, you can take advantage of the following promotions:

15% off Macron Home Kit - Click HERE

25% off Icon Collection - Click HERE

Be sure to take advantage of these offers before they expire on Sunday evening! If you’re heading to the match, why not visit the Club Shop before kick-off to make the most of these great deals? Can’t make it to the game this weekend? No problem - you can still shop 24/7 via our online store.

It is also Mother's Day in just a couple of weekend's time, and you can browse our Mother's Day collection HERE.

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COMING UP

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We have three huge games coming up at the Kassam Stadium. Following our game against West Bromwich Albion this weekend, we will host Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic in OX4 in a couple of weeks time. As we head towards the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, your support is needed more than ever!

Tickets for these matches are available:

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

MATCHDAY GUIDES

MATCHDAY STREAMING

Disabled Supporters Association Meeting

As part of LPF Unite For Access Week, an important online meeting is taking place to help shape the future of accessibility at Oxford United.

Level Playing Field will be meeting with interested supporters to support the creation of a Disabled Supporters Association (DSA). This is an exciting opportunity for disabled fans to come together and play a direct role in improving the matchday and wider Club experience.

Click HERE to find out more and how to get involved.

Watch the highlights from last season's match between the two teams at the Kassam Stadium!