Oxford United Championship Odds: U’s face a battle to stay up

There wasn't much hope for Oxford United in the Championship last season under Des Buckingham, and a poor start to the season cost him his job. The U's turned to Gary Rowett to steer them to safety, having had plenty of experience at this level. He did just that but with the level of quality set for the second tier in 2025/26, Oxford face a tough battle for survival once again.

Below you will find my prediction for their upcoming campaign using the Oxford United Championship Odds.

Rowett has been at his strongest as a coach at underdog clubs, like his spells at Burton Albion, Birmingham City and Millwall. It was no surprise to see him click at Oxford United. It is the situations with clubs that demand success where he has struggled, notably Stoke City and Derby County.

The teams that are looking to punch above their weight are what suit his management style to a tee and the latest example was Oxford United last season, who he led to a 17th-place finish and four points above the relegation zone.

Championship Odds

The objective this season will be to maintain their Championship status but with the quality set to befall the second tier in 2025/26, it is going to be a tough test for the U's.

Transfer Business:

In: Brian De Keersmaecker (undisclosed, Heracles Almelo), Brodie Spencer (undisclosed, Huddersfield Town), Will Lankshear (loan, Tottenham Hotspur), Nik Prelec (loan, Cagliari) and Luke Harris (loan, Fulham).

Out: Josh McEachran (free, Bristol Rovers), Idris El Mizouni (undisclosed, Leyton Orient), Ruben Rodrigues (undisclosed, EC Vitoria), Stuart Findlay (loan, Hearts), Will Goodwin (loan, Colchester United), Jordan Thorniley (loan, Northampton Town), Max Woltman and Joe Bennett (both released).

One thing we know Gary Rowett likes is defensive midfielders. They are integral to the way his team plays so it will be interesting to see how Brian De Keersmaecker fairs in the engine room alongside Cameron Brannagan. The Belgian arrives from the Netherlands, where Rowett once picked up Maikel Kieftenbeld for his Birmingham midfield, before signing him for a second time when at Millwall.

Brodie Spencer is an interesting signing with long-term value, while Will Lankshear will have a point to prove after not getting much of a chance at West Bromwich Albion last season.

Luke Harris was part of Birmingham's squad who achieved a record-breaking 111 points in League 1 last term but he didn't play an integral role, so he will be hoping for regular minutes as part of Rowett's squad at Oxford.

Key Player: Michal Helik

Rowett made an astute signing in January by signing defender Michal Helik from Huddersfield Town, and the centre-back played a key role in the final months of the campaign to help keep the U's in the Championship.

The 29-year-old was a great asset in both boxes because as much as he helped bring leadership and strength to the back line, he chipped in at the other end with five goals in his 20 league appearances.

With a pre-season behind him, I expect he will be given an even bigger role at the Kassam Stadium, and given the quality in the Championship this year, Helik is going to be needed by his club if they are to achieve their goal of staying in the division.

Prediction: 21st

Oxford just about stayed up last year but they face a much bigger challenge this time around. They were one of the three promoted sides a year ago who managed to avoid immediate relegation back down to League 1.

Those making their way from the third tier this time around have similar plans, and two of them are planning to ruffle some feathers at the top end of the table in Birmingham City and Wrexham.

The current sad state of affairs at Sheffield Wednesday looks to have already decided one of the three relegation spots this season (if they make it that far), while Oxford look like they will need to be better than the likes of Chartlon Athletic (just promoted), Preston North End and Hull City.

Football Odds

There are players in Rowett's squad who are very capable players at this level, and after a summer of squad assembling, the boss will be hoping that the team will be in a stronger position to implement his style in 2025/26.

They are likely to conduct more business before the transfer window shuts but I think they already have a decent squad, and they should have enough to avoid relegation for the second consecutive year.

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