Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford United | Match Preview

Hillsborough Stadium | Saturday 25 October, 3:00pm

The U’s hit the road again for their second long away trip of the week, heading to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday.

Form Guide - Snapshot

• Oxford United: W1 D1 L3 from the previous five games. It’s been a week of mixed fortunes for the Yellows — a hard-fought victory over Derby County last Saturday was followed by a narrow defeat to Wrexham on Wednesday evening. The team will be eager to respond with a display reminiscent of their commanding performance against the Rams.
• Sheffield Wednesday: W0 D2 L3 in their last five. It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Club, with off-field challenges continuing to cast a shadow over performances on the pitch. The Owls will be eager to rediscover the form they showed in their spirited draws against Birmingham and QPR at the end of September, and will no doubt see this game as a good opportunity to do so.

The Rivalry - A Quick Head-to-Head Check

This weekend’s clash marks the 37th meeting between the two teams, with the first encounter taking place back in August 1970.

Oxford United hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, having won 13 and drawn 13 of the 36 previous meetings.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Sam Long’s back-post header proved decisive as the U’s claimed a 1–0 victory.

The Connections - Worn Both Badges

• Will Vaulks: A firm fan favourite among the Oxford United faithful, Will Vaulks has made a major impact both on and off the pitch since joining the Club in June 2024. He has already amassed 53 appearances, with his only goal to date a stunning long-range strike in the draw away to Plymouth last season. Before his move to the Kassam, Vaulks enjoyed a successful two-year spell at Sheffield Wednesday, where he became a key figure and was named the Club’s Player of the Season for 2023/24. During his time at Hillsborough, he made 80 appearances and scored twice.
• Darren Purse: A no-nonsense centre-half, Darren Purse made 72 appearances for Oxford United during a two-year spell between 1996 and 1998, becoming a popular figure at the Manor Ground. Over a decade later, in 2009, he joined Sheffield Wednesday and was immediately handed the captain’s armband. Purse went on to make 61 appearances for the Owls, finding the net twice.
• Chris Maguire:The Scottish international striker joined the Yellows in November 2015 on an initial two-month loan from Rotherham United, a deal that was soon extended until the end of the season. Maguire made a major impact, scoring four crucial goals in the final six games to help secure promotion to League One. He continued his fine form the following campaign, netting 17 times before moving to Bury on a free transfer. Earlier in his career, Maguire spent three seasons with the Owls between 2012 and 2015, scoring 18 goals in 79 appearances.

What can we expect from Sheffield Wednesday?

1) Sheffield Wednesday have been forced into implementing a number of young players into their side due to the off-field financial problems this season, making it difficult to predict how the team will line up on Saturday. Captain Barry Bannan has been an ever-present this season.

2) Jamaican international Jamal Lowe has hit good form in recent weeks, bagging two goals in the Club's previous four games. 

3) Wednesday typically line up with a back three supported by dynamic wing-backs who push forward in possession and drop into a back five when defending. The Owls will try and congest the midfield to make it difficult for Oxford to play between the lines. 

Jamal Lowe: Leading the line for the Owls

The 31-year-old forward is vastly experienced at this level, having scored goals for the likes of Portsmouth, Swansea and Bournemouth. Lowe is quick and knows how to make intelligent runs. Being able to exploit space behind defenders is something he thrives on and is something the Oxford defence will have to be wary of.

He’s also comfortable playing as a central striker or drifting wide, which allows his manager flexibility in how to deploy him. 

By the Numbers — Fast Facts

• Kick-off: Saturday 25 October, 3:00pm at Hillsborough Stadium.
• Recent form (last five): Oxford W1 D1 L3; Sheffield Wednesday: W0 D2 L3.
• Goals: Oxford have scored 11 this season, Sheffield Wednesday have scored nine.
• Fun Fact: Oxford are unbeaten in their previous three visits to Hillsborough.
• Historic classics: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Oxford (12 April 2025); Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Oxford (2 October 2021); Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Oxford (1 April 1999).
• Top Goal scorers this season: Will Lankshear (3 goals); Barry Bannan, George Brown, Jamal Lowe (2 goals).

Relive the key moments from last season's victory at Hillsborough!

MATCHDAY GUIDE

MATCHDAY STREAMING