There are just four games remaining of the 2025/26 season and United are in the relegation zone, third from bottom and just two points adrift of West Bromwich Albion, who have the threat of a points deduction hanging over them.

Oxford have played at Derby just eight times previously, with a fairly reasonable record of three wins, two draws, and three defeats.

The very first meeting between the sides, in August 1968, was a 2-0 win for the Rams at the Baseball Ground in United’s first season in the second tier. Oxford’s next visit was 19 years later, in September 1987 in the top flight. This time, it was the U’s who emerged triumphant thanks to a goal from Neil Slater [sic] [Watch HERE].

The next game between the sides in Derbyshire was in April 1992, when they fought out a 2-2 draw, with Oxford’s goals coming from Jim Magilton and Micky Lewis [Watch HERE]. Exactly six months later, the sides met again at the same venue. United had debutant goalkeeper Paul Reece to thank for keeping the clean sheet that meant John Durnin’s goal won the game [Watch HERE].

Oxford’s final visit to the Baseball Ground came in April 1994, when John Byrne’s strike wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat that helped send the U’s down to the third tier [Watch HERE].

The sides’ next meeting was in July 2022, on the opening day of the season, when the home side ran out 1-0 winners on Oxford’s first visit to Pride Park [Watch HERE]. Just over a year later, the U’s were back in town, winning 2-1 courtesy of a Mark Harris double strike in a season that would see both sides eventually promoted [Watch HERE].

Oxford’s most recent visit to Derby, in February last year, ended in a goalless draw [Watch HERE].

You can see all the results between Oxford and Derby HERE.

On This Date

United have played just 12 times on 18th April, winning five and losing four of the games.

Headington won their first two matches on this date, both in the Southern League, before their first Football League match on 18th April ended in a 2-1 defeat to Bradford City in 1964.

In 1970, the U’s beat already promoted Blackpool 2-0 at the Manor, and 11 years later they beat Reading 2-1, also at the Manor.

Oxford’s only top-flight game on this date was a 3-0 defeat at Southampton in 1987. Their most recent away game on this date was in 2015, when the U’s won 3-0 at Tranmere Rovers thanks to two Kemar Roofe goals and one from Danny Rose [Watch HERE].

In 2023, the side drew 1-1 with Portsmouth [Watch HERE], while last season, United went down 1-0 to Leeds United [Watch HERE].

You can see all Oxford’s results from games on 18th April HERE.

The Game

Games are running out and there’s still a lot to do for Oxford to confirm Championship football for next season, with results elsewhere being as important to the club’s survival as Oxford’s own scorelines.

United have a very tough fixture at Derby on Saturday in an early kick off. The Rams are in eighth place, five points below Hull in the final play-off place, meaning that they really need to be beating Oxford to have any hope of extending their season into the play-offs.

Oxford helped their own cause last Saturday with a fine 2-0 win over Watford. The U’s were without injured players Jack Currie and Aidomo Emakhu (as well as out-for-the-season Tyler Goodrham and Brian De Keersmaecker), both of whom have been back in training this week.

This gives Matt Bloomfield a decision to make: does he stick with a winning team or does he look to make changes for the final stretch? Currie, of course, is the favoured left back and as we know, Bloomfield likes a settled side. However, Brodie Spencer has played outstandingly in that position in the last couple of games, so I would be surprised if he doesn’t retain his place.

In fact, unless the players have picked up any knocks in training, I can’t see anything other than an unchanged starting line-up at Pride Park, although there are certainly options should the head coach wish to shake things up a little to maybe be a little bit unpredictable.

For example, Mark Harris came on as a late substitute for Jamie Donley last weekend and scored a fabulous goal, which could give Bloomfield pause for thought. However, with good performances all over the pitch from the starters, I suspect the easiest, simplest, and best option is to go the same again, calling on the bench if necessary, where United do have some strength in depth if required.

Derby have won their last five home games, although lost 2-1 at Southampton last time out. They have a number of injury problems, with striker Patrick Agyemang out for the season, and doubts over former Oxford forward Carlton Morris, who hasn’t trained all week. Bobby Clark is also likely to be missing, as is Lewis Travin, while left back Derry Murkin and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström are also doubts.

Despite this, Derby have a formidable-looking squad and will provide tough opposition, especially with their play-off place on the line. Oxford, meanwhile, will be hoping to secure their first Championship double, having beaten a lacklustre Derby side 1-0 at the Kassam in October, thanks to Stan Mills’ strike.

Elsewhere, the Friday night game sees Blackburn Rovers welcome top-of-the-table Coventry City to Ewood Park. The Sky Blues could confirm the Championship title with a win, which would leave Rovers four points ahead of Oxford but having played two games more, following their 3-0 defeat at Southampton on Tuesday.

The big relegation clash is at Fratton Park, where Leicester City are the visitors. Meanwhile, West Brom host Preston North End with the threat of a points deduction hanging over their heads, while Charlton Athletic aren’t necessarily out of danger yet; they visit Hillsborough to take on a Sheffield Wednesday side looking for just their second win of the season.

The nerves have already started to kick in here, and I suspect it’s the same for supporters of all the clubs still in trouble. There will also be tension at the top end of the table, so hopefully that will play into Oxford’s hands on Saturday.

UTFO