Oxford Utd vs Sunderland

The Kassam Stadium will be buzzing this Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Oxford United (22nd in Championship) hosts Premier League high-fliers Sunderland for an FA Cup Fourth Round clash. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 GMT.

This is a classic cup tie featuring an Oxford side fighting for Championship survival and a resurgent Sunderland team that has taken the Premier League by storm this season. While the "Black Cats" are the heavy favorites, Oxford’s recent appointment of Matt Bloomfield has injected fresh hope into a squad that famously beat Sunderland 2–0 at this ground just last April.

Match Information

Oxford United: Bloomfield's Survivalists

Since taking over from Gary Rowett in January, Matt Bloomfield has focused on defensive organization. Oxford reached this stage via a dramatic penalty shootout win over MK Dons. Though they sit in the Championship relegation zone, they’ve proven to be a difficult nut to crack at home, recently holding both QPR and Bristol City to 0–0 draws.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Crisis: The U's are decimated by injuries. Tyler Goodrham (ankle), Jamie Donley (shoulder), and Nik Prelec (groin) are all unlikely to feature. Brian De Keersmaecker and Jack Currie are also sidelined.

• New Blood: Deadline day signing Aidomo Emakhu could be handed a start to provide pace on the counter-attack, while Will Lankshear is expected to lead the line.

• Defensive Rock: Michał Helik will need to be at his absolute best to contain Sunderland’s Premier League-caliber front line.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Kioso, Helik, Ben Davies, Roosken; Konak, Vaulks; Emakhu, Rodrigues, Peart-Harris; Lankshear.

Sunderland: The Premier League Surprise

Régis Le Bris has guided Sunderland into the top flight with incredible success. They arrive in Oxford on the back of a 3–0 win over Burnley and a dramatic FA Cup Third Round victory on penalties against Everton. Sunderland’s high-pressing, fluid 4-3-3 has made them one of the most entertaining teams in England this season.

Team News and Selection:

• Key Absences: The Black Cats are without midfield general Granit Xhaka and Bertrand Traoré, both of whom are recovering from injuries. Omar Alderete is a doubt.

• The "Diarra" Factor: Habib Diarra has been a revelation in midfield, coming off a MOTM performance against Burnley.

• Rotation Potential: Le Bris may hand starts to Abdoullah Ba and Nazariy Rusyn to manage his squad’s workload.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Roefs; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Diarra, Le Fée, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Ba.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The "Kassam" Hoodoo: Oxford won the last meeting at this stadium 2–0 (April 2025), a result that kept them in the Championship last season.

• Cup Specialists: Sunderland keeper Pepijn Roefs was the hero of the last round, saving three spot-kicks against Everton.

• Form Guide: Oxford (D-D-L-W-L) vs. Sunderland (W-L-W-W-L) across all competitions.

• Tight Margins: 4 of the last 6 meetings between these two have seen Under 2.5 goals.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

Matt Bloomfield will likely set Oxford up in a "low block," hoping to frustrate Sunderland and take the game to a replay or penalties. Sunderland, however, possesses technical quality that Oxford hasn't faced regularly this season. The battle between Jobe Bellingham and Oxford’s Vaulks in the center of the park will be decisive.

While Oxford’s home crowd will make it difficult, Sunderland's Premier League intensity and clinical finishing (led by Wilson Isidor) should eventually break the U's resistance.

Final Score Prediction: Oxford United 0–2 Sunderland