Oxford United return to the Kassam Stadium for the first time in over a month as they welcome Wigan Athletic in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening.
WHEN AND WHERE
The match against the Latics takes place on Tuesday 20 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.
PRE-MATCH LIGHT SHOW
We would like to make supporters attending the game aware that a pre-match light show will take place approximately seven minutes before kick-off tomorrow evening.
The show will feature lighting effects which may affect supporters with light sensitivity or photosensitive conditions. We advise anyone who may be affected to take the necessary precautions and be mindful of the timing of the show.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Kassam Stadium.
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 via the Official Oxford United App, as well as the key moments on X and Instagram: @OUFCOfficial.
GET TO KNOW OUR OPPONENTS
Wigan Athletic head to the Kassam Stadium looking to improve their fortunes in Sky Bet League One, having endured a difficult start to the campaign. Currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the Latics will be hoping to turn their season around and they got off to a good start by beating Reading on Saturday. Founded in 1932, Wigan have enjoyed a remarkable rise through the English football pyramid, reaching the Premier League in 2005 and famously lifting the FA Cup in 2013 after a memorable victory over Manchester City. They have also won the League One title on four occasions, most recently in 2022, and will be determined to rediscover that winning form.
In the dugout for the Latics is Gary Caldwell, who appeared more than 100 times for Wigan as a player between from 2010 until he hung up his boots in 2015. The former Scotland international is back at Wigan for his second stint as the club's manager, having previously guided the club to the League One title back in 2016 and being recognised with the LMA League One Manager of the Season award.
Following a four-year spell in charge at Exeter City, Caldwell returned to the Latics in February and now has the task of helping the team to survive in League One and push back towards promotion to the Championship in years to come. Caldwell favours an attacking, front-footed style of football, with an emphasis on possession, tactical discipline and pressing opponents high up the pitch. Despite sitting bottom of the table at the moment, the teams average possession this season is 54.5% (seventh highest in League One) and they place ninth for big chances missed, demonstrating their ability to control games and create goalscoring opportunities.
HOW ARE BOTH CAMPS SHAPING UP?
Tuesday’s draw away to Mansfield Town was a result that could be viewed in two different ways. While some will consider it a valuable point given the circumstances, others may see it as two points dropped after Oxford United had taken the lead - but it did come in very challenging circumstances, falling to nine men. Aaron Ramsey praised his side’s resilience and expressed pride in their determination to secure a hard-fought draw against a Mansfield team unbeaten at home in the league since February, particularly after the U’s had two players sent off in the second half.
Despite the disappointment of not claiming all three points, Ramsey was content with the result and will take encouragement from United's position just outside the play-off places, with games in hand on the sides above them.
For Wigan Athletic, it has been a challenging start to the season, although Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 victory over Reading provided a welcome boost for the Latics and their supporters. Despite that win, Wigan remain bottom of the table with seven points from their opening nine fixtures. Their away form has also been a concern, with just one point collected from four matches on the road so far.
WHO COULD PROVE TO BE THE KEY MEN FOR EACH TEAM?
After scoring his first professional goal in that draw away to Mansfield Town, 19-year-old Luka Lynch is brimming with confidence and is ready to cement his position in the starting line-up.
The young winger, on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa, curled an absolute beauty in with his left foot from outside the penalty area to give the team a first half lead on Tuesday, making that four goal contributions already since joining the Club. His ability to glide past players with his trickery and speed on the ball makes him a constant threat in the final third, and he will be keen to replicate those performances in front of a home crowd in OX4.
Following his departure from MK Dons over the summer, Scott Hogan joined Wigan Athletic as a free agent and has made an encouraging start to life in blue and white.
The former Brentford and Aston Villa striker has scored twice in his first five appearances, including the decisive goal in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Reading. With more than 100 career goals across the Premier League and Football League, the 34-year-old brings a wealth of experience and is showing he remains a potent threat at this level.
Hogan’s game is built around his movement, particularly his ability to run the channels and exploit space in behind opposition defences. Oxford’s backline will need to remain alert to these runs and ensure they do not allow the experienced forward to get in behind.
TEAM NEWS
Defender Peter Kioso and striker Gatlin O'Donkor will both be missing for Tuesday night's game following their red cards at Mansfield on Thursday. Both were dismissed after receiving two yellow cards and means they both serve a one-match suspension.
Adiomo Emakhu, Jin Woo Jeon and Ruben Roosken are all nearing a return, whilst Jamie McDonnell remains out for the next few weeks.
After picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Reading, Wigan will be without defender James Carragher on Tuesday night, while fellow centre-back Morgan Fox is expected to be out for a month with a calf issue.
The Latics are also missing midfield duo Akeel Higgins and Ryan Trevitt as the pair continue to nurse hamstring injuries, while former U's loanee Luke Harris is likely to miss the game after missing the past six games through injury.
PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES
You can watch the full Press Conferences of United Head Coach Aaron Ramsey and striker Mark Harris by clicking the buttons below.
PREVIOUS MEETING & HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Oxford United supporters will look back fondly on the last meeting between the two sides, when the U’s produced a thrilling comeback to secure a 4-2 victory over Wigan Athletic in February 2024, during their successful promotion-winning campaign.
The Latics took the lead late in the first half through Jordan Jones, leaving United with work to do after the break. However, the U’s responded in emphatic fashion, scoring four second-half goals through Jacob Murphy, Cam Brannagan, Ruben Rodrigues and Tyler Goodrham to turn the game on its head and claim all three points.
Last Five Matches | ||
Date | Result | Score |
13 February 2024 | W | Oxford United 4-2 Wigan Athletic |
24 October 2023 | L | Wigan Athletic 2-0 Oxford United |
1 February 2022 | D | Wigan Athletic 1-1 Oxford United |
18 December 2021 | L | Oxford United 2-3 Wigan Athletic |
14 February 2021 | W | Oxford United 2-1 Wigan Athletic |
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE ONE ON TUESDAY NIGHT
Here are the other games taking place in EFL Sky Bet League One on Tuesday (all kicking off at 7:45pm).
AFC Wimbledon vs Mansfield Town
Blackpool vs MK Dons
Bromley vs Leicester City
Burton Albion vs Bradford City
Cambridge United vs Wycombe Wanderers
Doncaster Rovers vs Stockport County
Huddersfield Town vs Peterborough United
Luton Town vs Barnsley
Notts County vs Sheffield Wednesday
Stevenage vs Plymouth Argyle
WHICH KIT WILL UNITED BE WEARING?
Aaron Ramsey's side will be wearing the Home Kit on Tuesday night. Not got yours yet? Click the button below to browse on our online shop.
Oxford United x Fresh Ego Kid
Oxford United are proud to announce the launch of a new lifestyle collection in collaboration with streetwear brand, Fresh Ego Kid.
The OX4 collection, compromising of a tracksuit, t-shirt, varsity jacket and cap, focuses on the community that we have been a part of for over 20 years and the area that surrounds it. Led by world-renowned model Addis Miller, who grew up in Blackbird Leys, the range includes references to the Club and area, such as the Yellow Army and OX4.
The collection is available to purchase online and in-store now.
Mansfield Town (A) Highlights:
Watch the highlights from our draw away to Mansfield Town last Thursday below.
