Preston vs Oxford Prediction: U’s can take another step in the right direction

Oxford United continue their quest for survival in the Championship on Friday when they travel to Deepdale to face Preston North End (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports Football). The U's picked up a valuable victory against relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion last time out but they are still three points adrift of safety.

Preston sit in the middle of the table but find themselves eight points off the pace in the race for the play-offs. Read on for my Preston vs Oxford predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

After going four games without a win in the second tier, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom may look to freshen up the forward line and recall Milutin Osmajic.

Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen is set to miss out again because of a groin injury.

Football Odds

Brian De Keersmaecker, Jamie McDonnell and Tyler Goodrham are all sidelined for Oxford. Przemyslaw Placheta is a concern for the visitors owing to a calf issue.

Matt Bloomfield might consider restoring Will Vaulks to the midfield for some added experience. Will Lankshear should once again get the nod over fellow striker Mark Harris after scoring against West Brom last weekend.

Today's Football Fixtures

Preston vs Oxford Odds

Preston are 21/20 to come out on top and they have won two of their previous six home games in the league.

Two of Oxford's last three away trips in the second tier have been draws, and the stalemate here is on offer at 9/4. The U's are 13/5 to win and make it two victories on the spin for the first time this season.

At least one team has failed to score in five of Preston's past six home fixtures in the Championship. BTTS - No is available at 4/5.

Total Goals - Under 1.5 @ 7/4

Both these sides have been involved in their fair share of low-scoring matches this term. Oxford rank second in the division for games featuring under 1.5 goals with 34% (12/35).

This includes two of their past three away trips, which saw them bank goalless draws against the current top two Coventry City and Middlesbrough.

Having shut out the two best teams in the division, the U's should fancy themselves to limit Preston in their own backyard. Preston themselves have seen under 1.5 goals land in nine of their 35 league matches in 2025/26.

The Lilywhites are on a four-game winless run in the Championship, having failed to score in two of them. The hosts are having some trouble in attack and their forwards are now up against a team fighting for their lives.

I predict that we will be fortunate to see more than one goal here and 7/4 (implied probability of 36.4%) is good value for this particular market.

Draw No Bet - Oxford United @ 6/4

Friday night provides Oxford with an opportunity to pull themselves out of the bottom three. It also gives Preston a chance to make up ground in the play-off race, but some will say an eight-point deficit at this stage is too high.

Four matches without a win poses a problem for the Lilywhites considering their opponents are desperate for points. Heckingbottom took a swipe at his players after their defeat at Blackburn Rovers on February 20, which was never going to be good for the mood in camp.

Their last outing was a home defeat against promotion-chasing Millwall. The Lions are a physical, hard-working side, which is what we can expect from Oxford on Friday.

The U's will be spurred on by their victory over West Brom, as well as the points picked up against Coventry and Boro. In the draw no bet market, I have to fancy them in Lancashire.

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