Match Preview
The festive stretch in the Sky Bet Championship continues with a high-stakes clash at the Kassam Stadium as Oxford United welcome Preston North End on Saturday 13 December 2025. It’s a meeting of two sides with very different aims right now: Oxford are scrapping for breathing room above the bottom three, while Preston are firmly in the play-off picture.
Oxford come into this one encouraged by their growing resilience. Gary Rowett’s side picked up another point on the road in midweek at Blackburn and will hope the Kassam can again be a platform after an impressive recent home win over Ipswich Town. The U’s have not been easy to beat lately, but turning draws into wins is the key as the season reaches its busiest phase.
Preston travel to Oxford with confidence and momentum. Sitting 5th in the Championship, Paul Heckingbottom’s team are unbeaten in their last four away matches and will see this as another opportunity to strengthen their grip on a play-off place. The Lilywhites have combined a solid defensive base with clinical finishing, and that balance has kept them among the division’s strongest performers.
There’s also recent history to lean on: last season Oxford took four points from six in this fixture, including a 3–1 home win and a 1–1 draw at Deepdale. With Oxford desperate for points and Preston chasing the top six, expect a competitive Championship contest full of duels, momentum swings and set-piece pressure.
TV Broadcast and Livestreams
Coverage varies by region and broadcaster selection. Fans should check local listings and official club/EFL channels to confirm live TV and streaming availability in their country.
Match Information
| Date | Saturday 13 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Kick-off Time | 12:30 (UK time) |
| Venue | Kassam Stadium, Oxford, England |
| Competition | Sky Bet Championship 2025/26 – Round 21 |
| Home Team | Oxford United |
| Away Team | Preston North End |
Championship Table Context
Oxford and Preston arrive with very different targets as the season settles into its winter rhythm.
| Team | Current Picture | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford United | Lower half / near the relegation fight | Home points are vital to stay clear of the bottom three and build momentum. |
| Preston North End | 5th (play-off places) | A win strengthens their top-six position and keeps them in touch with the automatic-promotion race. |
Form Guide Snapshot
Oxford United
- Last five matches: W1 D3 L1
- Midweek: drew away at Blackburn
- Last home game: an impressive win over Ipswich Town
- Season goals scored: 21
Oxford have shown a tougher edge recently, with fewer collapses and more late-game resilience. The next step is finding more cutting edge in the final third so strong spells become three points.
Preston North End
- Last five matches: W1 D3 L1
- Unbeaten in last four away matches
- Strong run: lost just once in the last nine
- Season goals scored: 27
Preston’s form is built on defensive stability and ruthlessness. Even when they don’t create huge volumes of chances, they’ve repeatedly found a way to take points.
Head-to-Head
Historically, Oxford have had the better of this match-up. Since the first meeting in February 1964, Oxford have won 13 of the 27 encounters, with 5 draws.
Last Season’s Meetings
| Date | Venue | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 2024 | Kassam Stadium | Oxford United 3–1 Preston | Goals from Mark Harris, Tyler Goodrham & Greg Leigh |
| 4 Jan 2025 | Deepdale | Preston 1–1 Oxford United | Oxford took four points from six overall |
Tactical Outlook
Oxford United: energy, home momentum and controlled aggression
- Fast start: Oxford will want to feed off the home crowd and establish tempo early.
- Compact shape: limiting space between the lines to stop Preston’s wide build-up patterns.
- Set-pieces: key route to goals in tight Championship games, especially against a strong back three.
- Brave moments on the ball: choosing the right times to play through pressure rather than forcing it.
Oxford’s challenge is balancing urgency with patience—Preston are comfortable soaking up pressure and punishing mistakes, so Oxford’s decision-making in transition moments could define the game.
Preston North End: back three, wing-backs and efficiency
- Back three + wing-backs: using width to isolate Oxford’s full-backs and create crossing angles.
- Strong defensive numbers: just 21 goals conceded (among the best in the division).
- Clinical edge: results have outperformed chance volume at times, showing strong finishing and game management.
- Aerial power: leading the league with a 56.4% aerial duel success rate.
Preston will be happy to keep this controlled and pragmatic. If Oxford overcommit, the Lilywhites have the structure and wide outlets to counter and turn the game quickly.
Key Players to Watch
- Oxford United – Mark Harris / Tyler Goodrham: names that hurt Preston last season and still central to Oxford’s ability to turn good spells into goals.
- Oxford United – Ben Davies: the on-loan defender brings experience and composure and will be important in dealing with Preston’s wing-back service and aerial pressure.
- Preston North End – Lewis Dobbin: on loan from Aston Villa, a major threat this season with 5 goals and 5 assists in 17 appearances across competitions.
- Preston North End – Wing-backs: their ability to pin Oxford back and create overloads wide is a key feature of Preston’s system.
Match Outlook and Prediction
Predicted Final Score: Oxford United 1–1 Preston North End
Oxford have improved in terms of resilience and belief, especially at home, and they’ll see this as a chance to take something from a top-six side. Preston, however, arrive with a strong away run, a well-drilled defensive structure and the ability to win games even when margins are tight.
Expect a competitive contest where Oxford’s intensity meets Preston’s efficiency. A draw feels like a realistic outcome: 1–1, with both sides having enough to score but neither fully taking control.
Note: This prediction is for discussion and entertainment only.