Oxford United vs Southampton Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Oxford United vs Southampton Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: December 26, 2025 | The Kassam Stadium | EFL Championship | 15:00 GMT

With Christmas soon passing, we will be diving straight back into league football as the EFL returns, as there is no time to lose with both a relegation battle and playoff push on the table for the contesting sides at The Kassam Stadium. Oxford host a completely reinvented Saints side under Tonda Eckert, and the visitors will look to continue their incredible redemption run since he took over in November.

As for the hosts, it is not all doom and gloom just yet, but they will need a win to keep up the pressure on the teams above them. The U’s head into this fixture having experienced a narrow defeat in what was seemingly a relegation six-pointer against Charlton Athletic, while Southampton made a statement, by not only drawing but outplaying Coventry City throughout the game as they were unfortunate not to find a winner.

We are backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals here.

Key Betting Tips: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals at 2.00 odds on BOYLESports represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our algorithm.

odds subject to change.

This match looks enticing from a both teams to score and over 2.5 goals scored outlook. For starters, Boxing Day matches always deliver, so a goal fest is always on the cards. The stats suggest that the Saints always deliver for the travelling fans in their away matches, not always necessarily in terms of wins, but in terms of ensuring the scoresheet keeps ticking over – from their 11 away games, 39 goals have been scored, an average of over 3.5 goals per game, making this an enticing angle on the fixture.

Oxford United vs Southampton Predicted Lineups

Oxford Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jamie Cumming; Ciaron Brown, Ben Davies, Michal Helik, Brodie Spencer; Brian De Keersmaecker, Will Vaulks; Gregory Leigh, Ole Romeny, Mark Harris; Nik Prelec.

The team news out of the Oxford camp suggest that Cameron Brannagan, Hidde Ter Avest and Matthew Phillips can all eat as much as they like on Christmas Day, with them all ruled out through injury.

Southampton Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Gavin Bazunu; Joshua Quarshie, Nathan Wood, Taylor Harwood-Bellis; Ryan Manning, Caspar Jander, Flynn Downes, Welington; Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz; Adam Armstrong.

As for the visitors, it is expected for Damion Downs to miss out, while Elias Jelert, Mads Roerslev, Ross Stewart, Samuel Edozie and Shea Charles will all miss the travels to Oxford and can enjoy the holiday period.

Oxford United vs Southampton Current League Standings

Oxford have endured a tough start to their season. After ending last season four points off the drop zone, they already find themselves six points off 20th place, although 19th is also safe and just one point ahead. Their next run of games are crucial, but they will need to start turning some losses into draws and draws into wins if they are to build a solid bid of survival.

Southampton’s struggles in the Premier League last season completely translated into their form earlier on this campaign. Although they have played well throughout this season, the Saints were not able to grind out good results until Eckert took over from Will Still, where they were finally able to convert their chances. This has led to a resurgence in form that sees the south coast outfit reside in 11th place with a record of eight wins, seven draws and seven losses.

Oxford United vs Southampton Head-to-Head Timeline

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

Through the last 15 years, these sides have only encountered each other once – in a friendly fixture in the summer of 2024 – with Oxford winning in a comfortable 2-0 fashion.

Oxford United and Southampton Recent Matches Analysis

Oxford Last 5 Matches:

• Oxford 0-1 Charlton (A)
• Oxford 1-2 Preston (H)
• Oxford 1-1 Blackburn (A)
• Oxford 0-2 Swansea (A)
• Oxford 2-1 Ipswich (H)

It has been a very tricky period of late for the U’s, who have won just once in their last five matches. A strong win against Ipswich shows they can fight with the best in the division but then wearying and non-clinical defeats to both Charlton and Swansea where they put up rather little in the final third, heavily undermine their credentials as a strong side.

Southampton Last 5 Matches:

• Southampton 1-1 Coventry (H)
• Southampton 1-2 Norwich (A)
• Southampton 3-2 West Brom (H)
• Southampton 3-1 Birmingham (H)
• Southampton 2-3 Millwall (A)

The victories over West Brom and Brum were part of their magnificent six wins in seven games resurgence to spring up the table into playoff contention. Defeats to Millwall and Norwich do uncover their vulnerabilities to close out matches, but the quality is always on show. Furthermore, both teams to score and over 2.5 goals scored have happened in four of their last five games.

Oxford United vs Southampton Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in both teams to score and over 2.5 goals scored. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Oxford United vs Southampton Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.00 - Recent form suggests confidence in a high scoring contest. With a 76.7% chance of both teams to score and a 65% chance of three or more goals recorded according to our incredible in-house algorithm, this seems like a strong value option.

Key Players to Watch: Oxford United vs Southampton

Brian De Keersmaecker (Oxford): The 25-year-old has been the main outlier among the Oxford squad so far this season. The Belgian has registered four assists, as well as a goal in his 20 Championship appearances thus far, with his goal coming just a fortnight ago.

Leo Scienza (Southampton): It may be Adam Armstrong leading the way at the top of their scoring charts, but it is their Brazilian midfielder Leo Scienza who is currently receiving all of the praise on the south coast. The 27-year-old has been the shining light in their resurgence, recording five goal involvements in 16 appearances, but he is also high up on the charts for chances created, shot attempts and touches, displaying his ability in the final third, and giving fans a reason to chant out his name.

Oxford United vs Southampton Match Facts

Referee: Information not available.

Broadcast Details:

UK: Sky Sports+ at 15:00 GMT.

Stadium Information: Located in Oxford, England, The Kassam Stadium can hold up to just over 12,000 supporters, and this venue is expected to be packed for this clash, with the away fans eager to show support to continue this superb run, despite the date of the fixture.

Oxford United vs Southampton: Final Prediction

Oxford United 2-3 Southampton