This is the first meeting between Oxford and Stoke in any competition since a 1-1 draw in the league in February 2001 at the Manor Ground.
Stoke have never won an away league match against Oxford United in seven attempts (D2 L5), although all these games were played between 1989 and 2001.
Oxford United have won five of their last seven home league games (D1 L1), winning both Championship matches in 2024-25. Within the top two tiers of English football, the U’s have only started a campaign with three home wins in a row in 1972-73 in the second tier.
Stoke City have won five of their last seven league games (L2), winning all five games to nil. The Potters had only won five of their previous 19 games beforehand (D5 L9).
Oxford United’s Mark Harris is looking to become the first player in Championship history (since 2004-05) to score in each of his team’s first five games of a season – only Erling Haaland (20) has scored more goals in 2024 across England’s top four tiers than the Welshman (16).