This Saturday’s Championship clash between Oxford United and Preston North End presents an interesting encounter between two sides that have experienced contrasting starts to their campaigns, albeit with similar outcomes in terms of points on the board.

• Date: 31/08/2024
• Kick-off time: 15:00
• Location: Kassam Stadium, Oxford

Oxford United, newly promoted from League One, have settled into life in the Championship with a mix of optimism and caution. Their current position, 12th place in the table, is a fair reflection of a team that has shown glimpses of their potential, yet also some vulnerabilities that could prove costly over the long season. Under the guidance of Des Buckingham, Oxford have demonstrated that they are capable of competing at this level, a notion that was perhaps doubted by many prior to the start of the season.

Despite their encouraging start, Oxford’s performances have not been without concern. The team has managed to secure just three points from their first three games, a return that feels somewhat disproportionate to the quality of performances delivered. The primary worry for Buckingham and his coaching staff lies in the team’s underlying statistics. Oxford have averaged just 1xG per game, the third-lowest in the Championship, indicating a lack of clear-cut chances being created. This, coupled with an expected goals against (xGA) rate of 1.66, also the third-worst in the league, suggests that Oxford are simply too leaky at the back.

While these statistics may paint a concerning picture, it is important to note that Oxford are still adapting to the demands of Championship football. The leap from League One to the Championship is significant, and early struggles in adapting are not uncommon for newly promoted sides. However, Buckingham will be acutely aware that these numbers need to improve if Oxford are to avoid the fate of relegation that some had predicted for them at the start of the season.

One bright spark for Oxford has been the form of striker Mark Harris. The forward has hit the ground running in the Championship, scoring three goals in as many games.

On the other side of the pitch, Preston North End find themselves in a more precarious position, despite also having three points. Their 18th place standing reflects a team that has endured a turbulent few months, both on and off the field. Preston’s summer transfer window was far from ideal, as they lost two key players without bringing in significant replacements, a situation that left the squad looking thin and lacking in quality. The departure of manager Ryan Lowe after the first game of the season only added to the uncertainty surrounding the club.

However, the recent appointment of Paul Heckingbottom as manager has offered a glimmer of hope for Preston. The former Sheffield United manager brings with him a wealth of experience at this level, and early signs suggest that he could be the steadying influence that Preston desperately need. Heckingbottom’s challenge is a daunting one, with a small budget and a squad that many consider to be lacking in the necessary quality to compete comfortably in the Championship.

The team’s first performance under Heckingbottom showed some improvement, particularly in terms of organisation and structure, but the team remains a work in progress. Preston’s attacking play has been notably stale, with a lack of creativity and cutting edge that has seen them struggle to impose themselves on games. To avoid being dragged into a relegation battle, Preston will need to find a way to address these issues, and quickly.