MX23RW : Wednesday, May 14 05:39:38| >> :600:990068:990068:
[monks data]
Cardiff City logo
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 21, 2025 at 3pm UK
Cardiff City Stadium
Oxford United

Cardiff
1 - 1
Oxford Utd

Salech (56')
Mannsverk (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Brannagan (79')
Placheta (40'), Helik (51'), Matos (59')

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Oxford United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Championship clash between Cardiff City and Oxford United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams looking to secure survival will face off when Cardiff City welcome Oxford United to the Welsh capital for Monday's Championship encounter.

The Bluebirds are in a perilous position in 23rd place in the standings, while the U's are sitting five points above the drop zone in 19th spot.


Match preview

Cardiff City's Aaron Ramsey on February 28, 2025© Imago

Cardiff are at risk of dropping into the third tier for the first time since 2002-03 after winning just one of their last nine matches (D3, L5).

In fact, the Bluebirds have failed to win any of their last five matches, playing out three consecutive draws before suffering back-to-back defeats.

They fell to a narrow 1-0 home loss against Stoke City, before they lost 2-0 to promotion-chasing Sheffield United in Friday's away clash.

The defeat at Bramall Lane ultimately proved to be Omer Riza's final game in charge after Cardiff announced his dismissal on Saturday, and the subsequent appointment of experienced midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who will take caretaker charge until the end of the season.

Ramsey takes over a team that are languishing in the relegation zone and one point adrift of safety with three games left to play against Oxford, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

The 34-year-old will be desperate to make a positive impact in his first game as manager, but that will be easier said than done, given the fact that Cardiff have lost three of their previous four home matches.

Oxford United manager Gary Rowett on December 26, 2024© Imago

Oxford are in a stronger position than their opponents, although they still have work to do to secure mathematical safety and avoid an immediate return to League One.

Having collected 48 points from 42 matches, the U's enjoy a five-point buffer to the drop zone with three fixtures left to play against Cardiff, Sunderland and Swansea City.

The U's will head into Monday's contest on the back of a narrow defeat against promotion hopefuls Leeds United on Good Friday.

Manor Solomon's first-half effort proved enough to condemn Oxford to consecutive home defeats, representing their fourth loss in six outings at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford will now turn their focus to Monday's road trip, and while they have won just one of their last 11 away league games (D5, L5), that solitary win took place in their most recent away match against Sheffield Wednesday.

They now have the chance to win back-to-back Championship away games for the first time this season, although they have won just one of their previous 13 away league matches that have taken place on Easter Monday (D6, L6).

Cardiff City Championship form:

Oxford United Championship form:


Team News

Chris Willock of Cardiff City during his side's Championship match against Stoke City, on December 14, 2024© Imago

Ramsey has missed Cardiff's last six matches through injury, but while he will not be playing on Monday, he will do his best to impact the game from the touchline.

The 34-year-old is unable to call upon Jak Alnwick, Isaak Davies and Joe Ralls, with the latter set to assist Ramsey in his coaching duties.

Defender Perry Ng is a major doubt for the home fixture after he sat out the defeat to Sheffield United due to an injury issue.

As for the visitors, Siriki Dembele will miss the final three games of the season after he picked up a hamstring injury in training ahead of Friday's defeat to Leeds.

Ciaron Brown has already been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, while Elliott Moore remains an injury doubt due to a hamstring problem.

Defender Hidde ter Avest is hoping to prove his fitness in time after missing the last two matches with a head injury.


Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Rinomhota, Fish, Chambers, O'Dowda; Robertson, Mannsverk; Ashford, Alves, Willock; Salech

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Ter Avest, Helik, Nelson, Bennett; Brannagan, Vaulks; Placheta, Matos; Goodrham; Harris


SM words green background

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Oxford United

Cardiff will be looking for an immediate reaction following the appointment of caretaker boss Ramsey, and we think that a home game against an Oxford side that have lost three of their last five away matches could prove to be the perfect opportunity for the Bluebirds to end their five-game winless run.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:570698:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10577:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Cardiff vs Oxford Utd

Cardiff City
57.1%
Draw
14.3%
Oxford United
28.6%
42
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Cardiff City manager Omer Riza on January 14, 2025
Read Next:
A clueless or correct decision? Cardiff sack Riza, appoint interim head coach
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds4629134953065100
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd462881063362790
4Sunderland4621131258441476
5Coventry CityCoventry46209176458669
6Bristol City461717125955468
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn46199185348566
8Millwall461812164749-266
9West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4615191257471064
10Middlesbrough461810186456864
11Swansea CitySwansea461710195156-561
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds461513186069-958
13Norwich CityNorwich461415177168357
14Watford46169215361-857
15Queens Park RangersQPR461414185363-1056
16Portsmouth461412205871-1354
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd461314194965-1653
18Stoke CityStoke461215194562-1751
19Derby CountyDerby461311224856-850
20Preston North EndPreston461020164859-1150
21Hull City461213214454-1049
RLuton TownLuton461310234569-2449
RPlymouth ArgylePlymouth461113225188-3746
RCardiff CityCardiff46917204873-2544


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!