Oxford United and Portsmouth kick off their 2025-26 Championship campaigns at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 9th August at 3pm. Both sides were caught in the relegation battle last season, but managed to seal safety. This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
Over 1.5 Portsmouth goals (33/20 with 10bet)
Portsmouth have scored two goals in each of their past two visits to the Kassam Stadium. They’ve also scored two goals in three of their past four matches against Oxford. Pompey ended the 24/25 campaign in red-hot form, and they’ve picked up right where they left off. Five wins from six summer friendlies suggest the momentum is still rolling. Oxford, meanwhile, have endured a chaotic pre-season and were far from convincing on home turf in the closing stages of last term.
Callum Lang to be Carded (3/1 with bet365)
Callum Lang is almost certain to make the XI, and his disciplinary record speaks for itself—10 bookings across all competitions last season, despite missing nearly two months through injury. His relentless work rate and willingness to track back make him a manager’s dream, but his combative edge often tips him into the referee’s notebook. With that mix of energy and aggression, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Lang’s card count start ticking upward as early as Saturday.
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How both teams go into Oxford United vs Portsmouth
Last season wasn’t a good one for Oxford as they finished just four points clear of the relegation zone. They had the fifth-worst goal difference in the Championship, and only five teams lost more matches than their 19. Fortunately for Oxford, there were always teams doing worse, so a nine-game unbeaten run after Christmas set them up for safety.
That run coincided with the appointment of Gary Rowett, who has now had a pre-season to get Oxford looking the way he wants. Safety will be the main guarantee, with this being just Oxford’s second campaign in the Championship after promotion in 2024.
Portsmouth finished one point and one place above Oxford last season. But they had looked in danger of relegation for some time. Also coming up from League One, Pompey were in the relegation zone as late as January and had spent time bottom of the table. But things were so close at the bottom, that just a few positive results lifted Portsmouth out of the bottom three.
And they stayed outside the relegation zone for the rest of the season. Unlike Oxford, Portsmouth kept their faith with John Mousinho, who now has another pre-season to build Portsmouth up to becoming Championship regulars.
Oxford United team news
Oxford are likely to be without Ole Romeny, who suffered an ankle injury on international duty for Indonesia recently.
Portsmouth team news
Portsmouth are hoping to have Ibane Bowat available by Saturday after having missed almost a year due to injury.
Oxford United vs Portsmouth head-to-head
Portsmouth are unbeaten in their past seven games against Oxford across all competitions. That includes taking four points from their two Championship matches last season.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 15/02/25 | Oxford 0-2 Portsmouth | Championship |
| 05/10/24 | Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford | Championship |
| 02/03/24 | Portsmouth 2-1 Oxford | League One |
| 30/01/24 | Oxford 2-2 Portsmouth | League One |
| 18/04/23 | Oxford 1-1 Portsmouth | League One |