It’s over 30 years since Leicester City last came to Oxford for a competitive match (a 2-2 draw in April 1994) but this Saturday the Foxes make their first proper visit to the Kassam Stadium for a 12:30pm kick off.

Oxford’s record against Leicester isn’t the best, with United recording six wins to Leicester’s 11. City’s last win on Oxford turf was in October 1991 when they won 2-1, while United’s last home win over the Foxes was a 4-2 victory in March 1990.

Mark Stein in action against Leicester in March 1990

You can see Oxford’s full record against Leicester HERE.

Coming off the back of a far-too-early international break, United are still looking for their first league win of the season, while Leicester are riding high in fourth place, having won three of their first four Championship fixtures.

Both United and City were active on transfer deadline day, albeit both with more outgoings than incomings. For United, the biggest news was that former Leicester defender Elliott Moore had his contract mutually cancelled with no apparent move to another club in the offing. The speculation is that his recent injuries were worse than originally thought and so he has decided to gracefully step away from football to concentrate on his sustainable property development business. Sounds plausible but who knows?

Also leaving the U’s were central defender Steph Negru, joining Bristol Rovers on loan, and winger Owen Dale, who signed for Plymouth, also on loan. Midfielder Marselino Ferdinan also left Oxford in a post-deadline day loan move to Slovak club AS Trencin. Incoming for United was Bulgarian winger/midfielder Filip Krastev, on loan from Belgian side Lommel.

Leicester’s deadline day dealings saw Jamie Vardy leave for Cremonese and Bilal Al Khannouss sign on loan for Stuttgart. Meanwhile the Foxes signed three loanees: Julian Carranza from Feyenoord, Jordan James from Rennes, and Aaron Ramsey from Burnley. City also made a post-deadline day signing, bringing in goalkeeper Francisco Vieites, who had been released by Real Betis.

It obviously remains to be seen how many of either sides’ new signings feature on Saturday, but I would think Oxford fans might not get to see Krastev just yet, at least not in the starting line-up. More likely would be the inclusion of Nik Prelec, who helped turn the last game, against Coventry, while new left-sided centre-back Ben Davies, on loan from Rangers, might make his first start. There is still no news on the fitness of Brodie Spencer, while both Ciaron Brown and Ole Romeny have longer-term injuries.

One player who is unlikely to start for Leicester is centre-back Ben Nelson, who spent last season on loan with Oxford. The popular defender did his reputation no harm with a string of impressive performances for the Yellows, helping the side to a respectable 17th place finish. However, he has yet to start a league game for the Foxes, with Caleb Okoli and Jannik Vestergaard starting all their Championship games so far.

This weekend’s fixture is possibly the biggest of the season for the U’s, who last hosted Leicester in a pre-season friendly in 2016, with Oxford having just won promotion from League 2 and Leicester having just won the Premier League. For me too, this is a big game. Until I was 14, I was a Leicester supporter, watching them under the managership of Jimmy Bloomfield with players such as Keith Weller, Frank Worthington and Peter Shilton. Now, though, I am unequivocal in my support for Oxford and only a home win will do!