Preview:Oxford United vs Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Oxford United and Portsmouth will both be looking for opening day wins when they face off at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The U's finished the 2024-25 Championship campaign in 17th spot, while Pompey were just one point better off in 16th position.

Match preview

Oxford are looking forward their second straight season in the Championship after successfully avoiding the drop in their first second-tier campaign since 1998-99.

Gary Rowett oversaw nine wins, eight draws and eight defeats in 25 league matches after replacing Des Buckingham as Oxford boss in December.

The U's boss will be looking to push on in his first full season at the Kassam Stadium, but his first priority will be to secure survival at the earliest opportunity.

Oxford have delved into the transfer market to sign Brodie Spencer and Brian De Keersmaecker on permanent deals, while they have also recruited Luke Harris, Will Lankshear and Nik Prelec on loan agreements.

The U's have warmed up for the new campaign with two wins, two draws and one defeat in five matches, including a commanding 3-0 over Spanish club Malaga last weekend.

If Oxford are to claim maximum points in their league opener, they will have to beat Portsmouth for the first time since recording a 3-2 victory in February 2022.

After winning the League One title in 2023-24, Portsmouth struggled to adapt to the Championship in the early stages of last season, recording just one victory in their opening 14 games (D6, L7).

Pompey eventually found their footing in their first Championship campaign since 2011-12, going on to collect 45 points from their next 32 league matches to climb up to 16th place in the table.

Portsmouth have seen the likes of Freddie Potts and Isaac Hayden depart at the end of their loans, but crucially, they managed to retain the core of their squad for the 2025-26 campaign.

They have also used the transfer market to strengthen their ranks with the additions of John Swift, Luke Le Roux, Mark Kosznovszky, Adrian Segecic and Florian Bianchini.

John Mousinho's side put together a six-game unbeaten run in pre-season, recording five wins and one draw, including a narrow 1-0 victory in Saturday's clash with Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

Portsmouth should fancy their chances of picking up a positive result from Saturday's fixture, having won three and drawn four of their previous seven meetings with Oxford.

Oxford United pre-season form:

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Portsmouth pre-season form:

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Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon defender Ciaron Brown and forward Ole Romeny due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Harris is also on Oxford's absentee list after picking up an ankle injury following his arrival on loan from Fulham.

Przemyslaw Placheta is hoping to prove his fitness in time for the weekend after missing Oxford’s last two friendlies against Leganes and Malaga.

Meanwhile, Pompey winger Harvey Blair remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that he sustained on the final day of the 2024-25 season.

Portsmouth are also expected to be without their star striker Colby Bishop, who picked up a groin issue in pre-season.

In Bishop’s absence, Thomas Waddingham is in line to make just his second start since joining the club from Brisbane Roar in January.

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Long, Moore, Helik, Leigh; Brannagan, De Keersmaecker; Mills, Goodrham, Phillips; Harris

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Schmid; Williams, Shaughnessy, Poole, Ogilvie; Swift, Dozzell; Lang, Segecic, Murphy; Waddingham

We say: Oxford United 1-1 Portsmouth

Oxford and Portsmouth have played out draws in four of their last six competitive meetings, and with that in mind, we think that two closely-matched sides may have to settle for a point apiece on the first matchday of the Championship season.

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