Oxford Utd welcome Cardiff to The Kassam Stadium to contest a Boxing Day fixture in the Championship on Thursday, 26 December. Read our Championship predictions for the bout below.
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Oxford Utd vs Cardiff prediction: Tensions should be high
Key Stats
- Oxford and Cardiff are the two lowest-scoring teams in the Championship so far this season.
- Cardiff have drawn five of their last six away matches in the Championship.
- Oxford have won only one of their last eight home games in the division.
- Oxford Utd notched exactly one goal in six of their last seven outings on home soil.
Correct score prediction: Oxford Utd 1-1 Cardiff
Cardiff have developed a tough exterior on the road of late and the Bluebirds picked up a point in five of their last six away matches in the Championship. Their relegation rivals Oxford rarely win at home, so back the teams to share the spoils in this basement battle.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Cardiff are slight favourites
- HOME: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Oxford Utd sit in second last place in the Championship but are level on points with Thursday’s opponents Cardiff, who are positioned just above them in the standings. Oxford have lost six of their last seven games and have just a 34.8% chance of reversing their fortunes here.
Cardiff are finding wins just as elusive, though they have been drawing plenty of games of late and they have been named as 6/4 favourites to turn one point into three at Oxford. View our latest football predictions page for more expert analysis.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting in 12 years
Oxford Utd and Cardiff haven’t crossed paths since they met for a friendly fixture in August 2012. Their last competitive encounter was in the League Cup in 2011.
Oxford Utd preview: Four out for hosts
Joe Bennett, Siriki Dembele, Louie Sibley and Max Woltman are out for Oxford, while several players are pushing to be rotated into the starting XI. Oxford were thumped 4-0 by Leeds in their last outing in the Championship to prolong their poor recent run.
Predicted lineup: Cumming (GK), Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh, Placheta, Goodrham, Vaulks, Brannagan, Dale, Harris
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Swansea
3
Oxford Utd
3
England Championship 26/04/25
W
Sunderland
0
Oxford Utd
2
England Championship 21/04/25
D
Cardiff
1
Oxford Utd
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Leeds
1
Oxford Utd
0
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Sheff Wed
0
Oxford Utd
1
Cardiff preview: Lengthy injury list for visitors
Cardiff could be without the services of several players this week. The struggling Bluebirds were beaten 2-0 at home by Sheffield United last time out and their former striker Kieffer Moore scored both goals to add insult to injury.
Predicted lineup: Alnwick (GK), Daland, Goutas, Chambers, Siopis, Robertson, Rinomhota, Bagan, El Ghazi, Willock, Meite
England Championship 03/05/25
L
Norwich
4
Cardiff
2
England Championship 26/04/25
D
West Brom
0
Cardiff
0
England Championship 21/04/25
D
Oxford Utd
1
Cardiff
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Sheff Utd
2
Cardiff
0
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Stoke
1
Cardiff
0
Player to watch – Manolis Siopis
Greek enforcer Manolis Siopis has been getting through a lot of defensive work in midfield for Cardiff, though the 30-year-old sometimes struggles to time his tackles and he could be a good card market candidate this week.
Siopis plays with aggression
Siopis has already been booked six times in just 11 starts in the Championship this season even though he has been committing just 0.7 fouls per game. The destroyer could be worth considering in the card markets again on Thursday.