Preston v Oxford United: mid-table aims meet relegation fight | OneFootball

Preston North End host Oxford United in the Championship on Friday, 6 March 2026 at Deepdale, with the home side looking to shore up a top-half spot while the visitors chase vital survival points.

Preston North End edged the reverse meeting 2-1 in December and sit 11th. Oxford United arrive 23rd in the relegation places after 35 games.

Preston are winless in four league matches, losing to Millwall after draws with Swansea City and Watford and defeat at Blackburn. Oxford United beat West Bromwich Albion last time out to end a run of four league games without a win that included draws at Coventry City and Middlesbrough.

Team news could matter. Preston are without goalkeeper Daniel Iversen. Oxford United list Greg Leigh, Brian De Keersmaecker, Tyler Goodhram and Jamie McDonnell as injured.

On season trends, Preston have scored 41 and conceded 40 with nine clean sheets and 45% possession. The hosts also deliver frequent service from wide areas, producing 501 open-play crosses at 18.56% accuracy. Oxford United have 31 goals for and 47 against with 41% possession, and nine strikes from outside the box suggest shots from range could be a route. Set pieces have yielded two goals for Oxford United and none for the hosts.

A win would lift Preston to 52 points and could nudge them up the table towards the chasing pack. Victory for Oxford United would take them to 35 points and may close the gap to safety in the relegation battle.