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

Oxford United host Southampton in the Championship on Friday, 26 December 2025 at the Kassam Stadium, with the visitors eyeing the play-offs and the hosts trying to climb away from the relegation places.

Oxford United sit 22nd on 19 points, while Southampton are 11th with 31. The only recent meeting was a 2-0 friendly win for Oxford in July 2024.

Form points in opposite directions. Oxford United have one win in their last 10 league games, losing five of those. Saints, by contrast, have six wins in their last 10, including recent home victories before drawing with Coventry City.

Injuries shape the options. Oxford United list Matthew Phillips and Hidde ter Avest as injured. The Saints are without Mads Roerslev and Shea Charles.

The Saints' profile suggests control: they average 57% possession with 84.33% pass completion and have scored 36 league goals. Adam Armstrong leads the Championship scorers with 11, while Finn Azaz has seven goals and four assists. Oxford United average 43% possession and one goal per game, with two clean sheets. Brian De Keersmaecker's four assists point to a likely supply line if the hosts can create.

A home win would lift Oxford United to 22 points and could narrow the gap to safety. The Saints would move to 34 points with victory and could edge into the top 10 and closer to the play-off places.