Southampton v Oxford United: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Southampton face Oxford United in the Championship at St Mary's on Saturday, 21 March 2026, with the hosts chasing the play-offs and the visitors battling the drop.

Southampton host Oxford United at St Mary's, and the visitors won the reverse league meeting 2-1 on 26 December 2025. The stakes are clear with play-off ambitions set against a relegation fight.

The Saints arrive unbeaten in five league games with four wins in that run, including a 1-0 victory over Norwich City. Oxford United have stabilised with three wins and a draw in their last four after defeat at Stoke City.

Saints are without Alex McCarthy, Mads Roerslev and Welington through injury, while Flynn Downes is suspended. Oxford United list Greg Leigh, Hidde ter Avest, Brian De Keersmaecker, Myles Peart-Harris and Tyler Goodhram as injured.

The Saints' season profile points to control, averaging 57% possession and 83.89% passing accuracy, plus threat from delivery with 504 open-play crosses and 12 headed goals. Oxford United tend to play with 40% of the ball and may lean on aerial strength and defensive volume, reflected in 809 aerial duels won and 1,386 clearances. Adam Armstrong's 11 league goals and Finn Azaz's 10, supported by Léo Scienza's eight assists, give Saints multiple routes to goal, while Oxford United's recent uptick suggests they could counter and compete aggressively in the air.

A win would move The Saints to 63 points and could tighten their grip on the play-off places. Oxford United would rise to 42 points with victory and could boost their survival bid from 22nd in the table.