Oxford United will be looking to continue their impressive form in the Championship as they take on West Bromwich Albion at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday afternoon. After securing promotion through the League One playoffs in May 2024, Oxford have made a promising return to the second tier of English football, with their sights set on extending their unbeaten streak in the Championship to four matches. Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion, who are chasing a return to the Premier League, will be hoping to regain their early-season form after a slight dip in recent weeks.
Oxford United's campaign so far has been a rollercoaster, marked by moments of brilliance and challenges. Despite finishing the 2023-24 League One season 15 points adrift of the automatic promotion places, the U's achieved success through the playoffs and have made a positive start to life back in the Championship for the first time since 1999. Their journey back to this level has been a long one, and the team is eager to prove that they belong among England’s elite.
Heading into Saturday’s match, Oxford are in a good position, sitting 10th in the Championship standings. With 15 points from their opening matches, they find themselves just four points shy of the playoff spots, currently occupied by Watford. On the other hand, they also sit five points clear of the relegation zone, giving them a comfortable buffer as they navigate the challenging second-tier competition.
Oxford’s recent form has shown resilience, especially on the road. After enduring three consecutive away defeats to Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, and Bristol City in August and September, they bounced back with valuable points away to Luton Town and League One champions Portsmouth. The draw at Portsmouth came under difficult circumstances, as the match was marred by an incident of racist abuse. Despite the unfortunate events, Oxford’s Louie Sibley, who joined from Derby County in the summer, netted his first goal for the club, securing a vital equalizer after Mark O'Mahony had opened the scoring for Portsmouth. Sibley’s goal marked a significant moment in his Oxford career, and the 23-year-old will be keen to build on that performance in the coming matches.
Under the guidance of head coach Des Buckingham, Oxford have become a tough side to break down. Despite a three-match run of draws leading into the international break, the U's are showing signs of becoming a competitive force in the Championship. Their ability to grind out results and maintain a steady points accumulation could be key in their bid to avoid relegation and perhaps even challenge for a higher position.
One of the standout performers for Oxford this season has been Mark Harris. The Welsh international, who struggled to find his scoring boots during his previous Championship spells with Cardiff City between 2020 and 2023, is now flourishing. Harris scored just 11 goals during those three campaigns, but after a year in League One, he has rediscovered his form and confidence. In the current campaign, Harris has netted four goals in 10 Championship appearances, proving to be a crucial player in Oxford’s attacking lineup. His ability to find the back of the net will be vital if the U's are to maintain their positive trajectory in the league.
While Oxford have their eyes set on extending their unbeaten run, West Bromwich Albion arrive at the Kassam Stadium looking to recover from a dip in form. The Baggies started the 2024-25 Championship season in scintillating fashion, going unbeaten in their opening six matches. However, their form has stuttered recently, with a three-match winless run before the international break seeing them collect just one point from two home games.
West Brom were dealt a blow on October 1, when a second-half goal from Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at The Hawthorns. Just days later, they were frustrated by a struggling Millwall side, who managed to secure a goalless draw in the Black Country. These results have seen West Brom slip from the top of the table to fourth place in the Championship standings. Despite the setback, Carlos Corberan's side remain just two points off the summit, with Sunderland and Sheffield United currently leading the way.
The international break may have come at a good time for West Brom, giving them a chance to regroup and refocus. Under the leadership of Corberan, the Baggies have been one of the most formidable sides in the Championship this season, with their early performances indicating a genuine push for promotion. However, if they are to maintain that challenge, they will need to regain the momentum that saw them dominate the early stages of the campaign.
A major factor in West Brom’s success this season has been the emergence of young talent from their academy. One player who has particularly caught the eye is Tom Fellows. The 21-year-old has stepped up to the first team and made a significant impact, providing five assists already this season. Fellows is being hailed as one of the brightest prospects to come out of the West Brom academy since Saido Berahino, and his performances have helped fill the void left by some key departures over the summer. If Fellows can continue his rich vein of form, he could be crucial in West Brom’s promotion push.
One area where West Brom have excelled this season is their away form. While last season they struggled to pick up points on their travels, this time around they have been ruthless away from The Hawthorns. The Baggies have collected nine points from their first four away matches, making them the best-performing side on the road in the Championship so far. This strong away form will give Corberan’s men confidence heading into Saturday’s clash with Oxford, as they look to return to winning ways.
The match at the Kassam Stadium promises to be a closely contested encounter. Oxford, with their newfound resilience and solid home form, will be determined to make life difficult for their visitors. West Brom, on the other hand, will be eager to prove that their recent dip in form was just a blip and that they remain serious contenders for promotion to the Premier League.
In terms of team news, Oxford United will likely stick with the core group of players who have helped them remain unbeaten in their last three matches. Louie Sibley will be hoping to add to his tally after opening his account against Portsmouth, while Mark Harris will continue to lead the line for the U's, aiming to increase his goal tally for the season. Des Buckingham may also look to make a few tactical tweaks, especially with the home crowd behind his team.
For West Brom, Carlos Corberan will be hoping his side can rediscover their cutting edge in attack. The Baggies have been solid defensively, but they have lacked a killer instinct in front of goal in recent matches. Tom Fellows will again be a key creative outlet for the visitors, while experienced players like John Swift and Jed Wallace will be tasked with providing the cutting edge in the final third.
The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both sides. For Oxford, a win would not only extend their unbeaten run but also potentially move them closer to the playoff positions, a remarkable achievement for a newly-promoted side. For West Brom, three points would help them stay in touch with the top of the table and reignite their promotion campaign.
As both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting clash, fans can expect a high-intensity encounter, with Oxford’s fighting spirit up against West Brom’s promotion ambitions.
