Oxford United will take on Ipswich Town in a midday pre-season friendly at the Kassam Stadium this Saturday, as part of a double-header that also sees the Blues face Wycombe Wanderers later in the day. The U’s, who finished 22nd in the Championship last season with 47 points (11W-14D-21L), are gearing up for their League One campaign under new manager Aaron Ramsey.
What’s the context for Oxford United?
The match comes after a tough 2025/26 season where Oxford United scored 45 goals but conceded 59, finishing 48 points behind leaders Coventry. Their last competitive outing was a 2-0 loss to Millwall on 2 May 2026, capping a run of two straight defeats (recent form: LLWWL). Ipswich, managed by Gary O’Neil, will field two different XIs to give players 90 minutes ahead of their season opener.
Who are the key figures to watch?
Aaron Ramsey, the Wales and Arsenal legend, now leads Oxford United after Matt Bloomfield’s summer departure. Ipswich’s squad includes familiar faces like Greg Leigh, who spent the 2022/23 season with Town. Oxford’s pre-season form will be closely watched as they aim to bounce back from relegation.
What’s next for the U’s?
After this friendly, Oxford United will turn their attention to the Carabao Cup next weekend, marking the start of their 2026/27 campaign. With Ramsey at the helm, the focus is on rebuilding momentum after a difficult Championship season.
