Oxford United Championship Odds: Buckingham can defy odds and keep U’s up

Oxford United’s day out at Wembley in May was nothing short of joyous. Led by boyhood fan Des Buckingham, they outclassed a much-fancied Bolton Wanderers outfit. Now they are back in the second tier for the first time this century and although they are favourites for relegation, there are hopes they may be able to cause a few surprises along the way. 

Below I have taken a look at the Oxford United Championship odds, while analysing their squad and coming up with a prediction for where they will finish this year. 

Last Season: 5th (League 1)

Top Scorer: Mark Harris (16)

Transfers In: Peter Kioso - Rotherham (£550k), Jack Currie - AFC Wimbledon (£400k), Idris El Mizouni - Ipswich (£350k), Louis Sibley - Derby (free), Przemyslaw Placheta - Swansea (free), Jamie Cumming - Chelsea U21 (free), Will Vaulks - Sheff Wed (free), Matt Ingram - Hull City (undisclosed), Jacob Knightbridge - West Ham U21 (free). 

Transfers Out: Josh Murphy - Portsmouth (free), Billy Bodin - Burton (free), Oisin Smyth - St Mirren (undisclosed).

First Game: Norwich (H)

Prediction: 19th 

Championship Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Championship Odds page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices.

I’m going to come at you with a healthy dose of positivity when it comes to Oxford United. Obviously they are favourites to go down, and looking at last term, you can see why. They only finished fifth in League 1, with 77 points to their name. Having not been at this level in so long, they cannot compete with other clubs in terms of finances, but that doesn’t mean that relegation is a certainty. 

So let’s talk about the positives, starting with their manager. Buckingham has done a terrific job since taking charge of the U’s in November 2023. Liam Manning set things in place for a play-off charge, but was tempted away by Bristol City after just six months at the club. His departure left many Oxford fans in fear that the wheels would come off, but in Buckingham they have found a local lad who also happens to be a fantastic football manager. 

The romantic in me wants this Buckingham/Oxford relationship to flourish. He started his coaching career with the club a decade ago and worked his way up to becoming a first-team coach under Chris Wilder, before heading to New Zealand to further his development. Spells in charge of Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand’s national youth teams and Mumbai City followed, before the lure of home brought him back to these shores. 

With a travel diary that would rival any 20-something from Surrey, Buckingham's route back to the EFL has been intriguing. But the experience he has built up along the way served him well as he steered the U’s into the Championship. And this summer, in his first pre-season, he has gone about making sensible signings that are sure to strengthen his side. 

Football Odds

Peter Kioso, Jack Currie and Louis Sibley are all stars of the lower tiers, and still in their early 20s. That has been the theme of their recruitment drive, although the pacey Przemyslaw Placheta and Will Vaulks both bring Championship experience. Clearly the big blow this summer was losing Josh Murphy. 

He scored both goals in that play-off final and was sensational for Oxford, but the former Norwich man was tempted away by Portsmouth - and left on a free. To lose him is bad, but to lose him to a potential relegation rival is seriously damaging, but it does show the limitations in which Oxford are having to operate within. 

They do already have players who are capable at performing in the second tier, not least Cameron Brannagan, who is finally getting his shot at the Championship. Elliott Moore and Mark Harris will also be useful assets, while the new additions should give this squad a shot in the arm. 

I’m also backing the Oxford fans to relish every point they get this term, especially at home. We saw with Plymouth last season how important solid home form can be for newly-promoted sides and their bid to avoid the bottom three. When I compare Oxford to the other relegation-threatened teams, such as Blackburn, Derby, Plymouth and Preston - I just believe they have the far superior manager. 

Buckingham will offer them tactical flexibility this season, but Oxford are also a stable club and are unlikely to press the panic button if they are in the bottom three. The same cannot be said of those other contenders, and for that reason, I’m backing them to stay up. This is a club looking to build a new stadium, and survival in the Championship could be key for their finances in delivering that. 

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 50% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.