Oxford United vs Sunderland: FA Cup fourth round preview, form and head-to-head
Oxford United host Sunderland at Kassam Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, Feb. 15 (ET). The tie pits a struggling Championship side fighting for survival against a Premier League club enjoying a solid season after promotion, with Cup history and recent form shaping expectations ahead of kickoff.
Head-to-head and FA Cup history
This is the third FA Cup meeting between the two clubs. Their previous ties in the competition underline a sporadic but memorable rivalry: one side prevailed 2-0 in a third-round replay in the late 1980s, while the other edged a 3-2 fourth-round victory in the early 1990s on a run that culminated in a final appearance. In league play the teams have met more recently; Sunderland lost the most recent meeting between them last April, but the Black Cats have never lost consecutive matches to Oxford in all competitions.
For Oxford, progression to the fifth round would be a rare achievement this century. The U's reached that stage only once since 2000 and have a frustrating recent record in fourth-round ties, being eliminated in 10 of their last 12 attempts at that stage. Sunderland's fourth-round appearances have been less frequent in recent seasons; this is only their second time reaching this round in the past decade, and they have not been as deep in the Cup in recent campaigns as they were a decade ago.
When Oxford has faced top-flight opposition in the Cup, results have tended to go against them. The U's have been knocked out in eight of their last nine FA Cup encounters with Premier League sides, advancing only once in that run with a memorable third-round win over a top-tier opponent in 2015-16.
Current form and team news
Oxford arrive at the Kassam under pressure. Sitting 23rd in the Championship and five points adrift of safety, the home side suffered a 3-0 defeat to a promotion-chasing opponent earlier in the week and have not won in seven consecutive matches across all competitions. Their home form has been a particular concern; they have managed only five victories at the stadium throughout the campaign.
Lineups for the tie have been announced and players are warming up ahead of kickoff, with managers expected to weigh the demands of cup progression against league priorities in squad selection. Oxford will be desperate for a cup boost to lift morale in a run of poor results, while Sunderland can use the fixture to maintain momentum and build squad confidence.
Match outlook and key talking points
On paper Sunderland enter as favourites: superior league position, better recent form and the experience of competing at a higher level this season. Oxford's chances will hinge on home support and whether they can translate the knockout momentum from their last-round penalty shootout into a disciplined, resilient performance.
Key factors likely to decide the tie include set-piece threat and game management in tight moments—areas where lower-league teams often try to neutralise technical gaps. Oxford must tighten defensively and find a way to create chances at pace, while Sunderland will look to control possession and exploit space in transition.
For Oxford, a Cup run would provide a welcome diversion amid relegation worries; for Sunderland, advancing would underline how well they have adapted to life back in the top flight. The match kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 15 (ET), with both clubs hoping the result gives momentum to their respective campaigns.
