Preview: Oxford United vs Sunderland

Oxford United welcome Sunderland to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (3:00pm kick-off) for the U's final home fixture of the 2024/25 season as the Yellows look to secure their Championship status for next season.

OXFORD UNITED

Following Oxford's 1-1 draw at Cardiff City on Monday, Gary Rowett can welcome Sam Long back to the squad after the birth of his daughter on the morning of the game. With skipper Elliott Moore back in contention, it's just Ciaron Brown, Idris El Mizouni, and Siriki Dembélé who are unavailable.

Head Coach Rowett told United's official YouTube channel: "It's in our hands and that's the beauty of it. We can't not perform while everyone else performs and expect to finish where we want to finish. We've got to make sure we do our part of the bargain.

"We have to make sure we take care of the home games, which I think we've been pretty good at overall. And then we'll see where we end up at about 5 o'clock on Saturday."

SUNDERLAND

The visitors come into the game having already secured their spot in the play-offs with a fourth-placed finish. They have lost their last three matches, but Head Coach Régis Le Bris has said that he is likely to field close to his strongest side at the Kassam Stadium after a period of rotation.

"It will be close to the first 11," he said about his team for Saturday's game.

"Many things can happen. It's not just 11 players who will be involved in the game at Oxford and play in the semi-final.

"We need the full group. Football is unpredictable, and you can't anticipate a scenario. I repeat, it's not only 11 players, it's a full group, and we'll do our best to manage the game properly."

Le Bris will have to do without striker Eliezer Mayenda, who received a concussion in their 1-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light on Monday. Sunderland will also be without Dan Ballard, Romaine Mundle, and Aji Alese, although Jensen Seelt is available following his long-term recovery from a knee injury.

POST-MATCH APPRECIATION

The players will be taking part in a lap of appreciation following full-time on Saturday. Immediately after the whistle, the players will briefly head back into the changing room, before returning to the pitch with members of their family.

Supporters wishing to take part in this appreciation are asked to remain in their seats after the game for a short while as the players make their way back out to the pitch. We would also like to remind supporters not to enter the field of play at any point, otherwise the lap of appreciation will not take place. More information can be found HERE.

With this, the Football Special buses will now be departing the stadium 10 minutes later than normal to enable fans to enjoy the celebrations. 

CLUB SHOP

With the last home game of the 2024/25 Championship season scheduled for Saturday, why not head in-store to take advantage of our End of Season Sale! 

This is your final opportunity to score up to 40% off across a wide range of categories, including Replica Kits, Training Gear, Leisurewear, and more. 

Browse the online store online today by clicking HERE...

TICKETS AND TRAVEL

General Admission tickets have SOLD OUT for the game. The Ticket Exchange is now open for any Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend.

CLICK HERE for ticket availability...

There are 2,000 free parking spaces at the stadium, but they do tend to fill up quickly, so please try to arrive early if you intend to park there. Remember, parking is only free from four hours before kick-off. There are also marked parking bays along Grenoble Road to the east of the ground. Do not park on the grass verges or in the restricted areas in the nearby residential streets.

The gate behind the Planet IT North Stand will be closed before and after the game, meaning no pedestrian access between the east and west car parks via that route.

Motorcyclists are advised that parking is permitted again at the southeast bike rack area. Supporters should enter via the east car park entrance and use the left-hand side of this area. If this area is full, please use the northeast parking area and do not park on the road. Supporters parking in the southeast corner will be subject to the 20-minute hold post-final whistle on all traffic movement in this area.

Please note that Stagecoach has a new route that operates between Redbridge Park & Ride and Thornhill Park & Ride that runs every half hour on Saturdays, stopping outside the Kassam Stadium in both directions. See the timetable HERE.