Stoke City vs Oxford United predictions: U's defensive steel to frustrate goal‑shy Potters
Simon Barlow
Stoke have not scored more than once in eight of their last nine matches
Oxford have conceded fewer than two goals in six of their last 10 games
Recommended Bet: Under 1.5 Stoke City Total Goals
Stoke City host Oxford United on Wednesday night in a meeting between two Championship clubs with differing objectives.
Stoke are desperate to reassert their claims for a play-off place, but Mark Robins' side remain winless in seven league matches after being forced to settle for a 2‑2 draw against Leicester on Saturday.
The 14th-placed Potters will see the visit of relegation-threatened Oxford as a great chance to move forward, but the U's have proven tough to beat on the road of late.
Oxford have kept four clean sheets in eight league games under recently-appointed head coach Matt Bloomfield, earning unexpected 0‑0 draws away at the Championship's top two.
The latest Stoke City vs Oxford United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Stoke boss Robins looks set to consider changes despite his side emerging from the weekend without any fresh injury setbacks.
First‑choice goalkeeper Viktor Johansson remains unavailable with a shoulder problem and has yet to feature in 2026, meaning Tommy Simkin will continue between the posts.
Back-up stopper Gavin Bazunu is also sidelined, while forwards Sam Gallagher and Robert Bozenik remain out with hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Oxford, meanwhile, were less fortunate. Jamie McDonnell was forced off early in the second half of their draw at Middlesbrough and is expected to miss Wednesday's trip, opening the door for Will Vaulks to partner captain Cameron Brannagan in midfield.
Defender Michal Helik returned to the matchday squad at the weekend and could be drafted into the starting XI as Bloomfield seeks further defensive solidity.
In attack, Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley may be handed a start as he chases his first Oxford goal.
The stats
Stoke have failed to score in three of their last four league matches
Oxford have kept two consecutive away clean sheets against Coventry and Middlesbrough
The U's have kept four clean sheets in their last eight Championship matches
Oxford have failed to score in seven of their last nine games in all competitions
Stoke are winless in seven league games
The Potters have the best defensive record in the division with only 31 goals conceded in 33 games
The latest Stoke City vs Oxford United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Stoke scored twice against struggling Leicester last weekend, but that kind of end product has eluded them for a while, with only four goals scored in their previous eight matches.
Wednesday will show if they have turned a corner when they face a much-improved defensive unit that has kept back-to-back away clean sheets against the top two teams in the division.
Oxford keeper Jamie Cumming mainly had to deal with shots from range against Coventry and he performed well in making seven saves against Middlesbrough.
The visitors may not have the energy to repeat their Riverside heroics for 90 minutes, but their defensive structure — combined with Stoke's bluntness — points strongly towards a low‑scoring contest.
Back Under 1.5 Total Goals by Stoke City at 7/10 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Stoke City vs Oxford United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
