The Kassam Stadium

Saturday 19th October 2024 -  12:30
Oxford
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West Brom
Key Events

A match pack graphics, featuring a photo of Jayson Molumby in the 2024/25 home kit, showing the Oxford and Albion crests

Albion return to Sky Bet Championship action following the October international break with a trip to Oxford United on Saturday lunchtime (ko 12.30pm).

This weekend's clash will be the first against the U's in the league since March 1999 - 25 years ago. 

A general view of Oxford United's Kassam Stadium
The Kassam Stadium is the venue for Saturday's match

Follow the action LIVE

Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's outing to Oxford on Saturday lunchtime.

Audio passes are available to purchase here.

Gez Mulholland and former Baggie Andy Johnson will provide live commentary, with coverage starting at 12.20pm.

Details for video streaming on WBA TV will be available here from Friday lunchtime onwards.

Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.

The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk or myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.

WBA Matchday

The hosts

Oxford have impressed since winning promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship.

The U's returned to England's second tier for the first time in 25 years after winning the League One Play-Off Final last term, and their positive, forward-thinking style of play has earned rave reviews following the first nine matches of the current campaign. 

It's been an even mix of results thus far for Des Buckingham's team; winning, drawing and losing three times from their opening nine league fixtures, tallying a total of 12 points which leaves them in the top half of the table heading into Saturday's home clash with the Baggies.

Boss Buckingham began his coaching career with Oxford as an 18-year-old prior to developing his credentials overseas. Time in New Zealand saw him coach the country's U20 and U23 national teams, while also becoming the youngest A-League coach in history after taking charge of Wellington Phoenix at the age of 31. 

These roles prepared Buckingham well for his move to India in 2021, where he led Mumbai City to the league title in 2023 and collected the Coach of the Year Award in the process. But keen to make his mark in English football, the Oxford-born manager came back to his coaching roots in south east England and made an instant impact - returning the feel-good factor at the Kassam Stadium with Wembley glory against Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs to help United seal a long-awaited return to the Championship in his first season at the helm. 

And United have carried that optimism into the early knockings of the 24/25 campaign. They entered the October international break unbeaten from their last three matches (all draws), have scored goals from around the pitch through Mark Harris (4), Ruben Rodrigues (2) and Tyler Goodrham (2), and will hope to utilise momentum from their five-game unbeaten home run when they host Albion this weekend.

Several Oxford United players celebrate a goal scored at home to Norwich in the home kit
Oxford have enjoyed a really strong start to life back in the second tier

One from the history books

The last time Albion took something away from their travels to Oxford was in April 1994. 

Fans' favourite Bob Taylor had given the Baggies the lead, but Paul Moody ensured the U's claimed a share of the points on that day 30 years ago. 

While also taking equal spoils away from the contest, the teams were also both reduced to 10 men.

The last five at Oxford United

Oxford United 3-0 Albion

September 1998, Division One

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Oxford United 2-1 Albion

February 1998, Division One

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Oxford United 1-0 Albion

March 1997, Division One

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Oxford United 1-1 Albion

April 1994, Division One

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Oxford United 1-3 Albion 

September 1990, Division Two

A general view of the outside of the Kassam Stadium with a banner detailing the name of the ground
Albion's last league win at Oxford came exactly two months after the 1990 FIFA World Cup final

The stats

Two former players now don the colours of Albion's next opponent. 

Matty Phillips moved to the Kassam Stadium in the summer after his eight-year spell at The Hawthorns (during which he made 255 appearances) came to an end, while winger Kyle Edwards will be hoping to face his boyhood club for the first time since leaving the Baggies in 2021. He played 49 times during his time in the senior fold. 

On the other side of the camp, Albion midfielder Alex Mowatt spent the 2017/18 season on loan at the U's. He made 34 appearances across all competitions, scoring three times and providing two assists.

The Baggies have won just three of their 11 trips to Oxfordshire - the most recent coming in the form of a 3-1 triumph in September 1990. 

It will be the first time both Carlos Corberán and Des Buckingham have managed against this weekend's respective teams during their managerial careers. 

Supporters will be hoping history continues regarding goals in this fixture, with there yet to be a goalless encounter between Albion and United in a competitive clash. 

Karlan Grant will be hoping to add to his personal record against the U's on Saturday. He and Devante Cole are the only members of the current playing squad to have scored against Oxford in their careers, with the former netting the opener in an EFL Trophy match for Charlton Athletic back in 2018.

Matt Phillips celebrates scoring a goal for Albion in 2019 at The Hawthorns
Matty Phillips will take on his former club for the first time since departing in the summer

The ticket details

Away tickets have now sold out for Albion's Sky Bet Championship trip to Oxford United.

A total of 1,400 travelling fans will back Carlos Corberán's men in Oxfordshire.

Thank you, as always, for your fantastic support!

A photo of Albion fans in the away end at Pompey
Albion will be backed by a sold-out away end at Oxford

The Albion colours

The Baggies will wear their home kit for the first time on their travels this term in Oxfordshire. 

It will be the third consecutive match Carlos Corberán's men will have donned their navy-blue-and-white stripes in the Sky Bet Championship, and you can get yours here

A photo of Alex Mowatt in the 2024/25 home kit
Alex Mowatt in the 2024/25 home kit

Karlan Grant.

Karlan Grant’s 29th-minute goal was cancelled out in added time as Albion drew 1-1 against Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.

The attacker’s excellent effort looked to be the difference, but a late Dane Scarlett header ensured the hosts took a point from the encounter.

It means Carlos Corberán’s men remain fifth in the Sky Bet Championship table, with 18 points from 10 games.

An image of Albion and Oxford lined up around the centre circle during a period of silence for George Baldock
Both teams paid tribute to former Oxford player George Baldock ahead of kick-off

The boss recalled Uros Racic and Grant to his starting XI following a two-week break without a game.

His side survived an early scare when Alex Palmer was alert to keep out Mark Harris’ finish, as well as Elliott Moore’s tame attempt.

But they controlled proceedings after that - Darnell Furlong flashing a good drive narrowly wide and Torbjorn Heggem heading just over in search of the breakthrough.

And the opening goal did then deservedly arrive shortly before the half-hour mark via in-form man Grant, who unleashed a wonderful low, long-range strike home for his second this season.

An image of Karlan Grant scoring against Oxford

Ciaron Brown nodded a corner off-target as Oxford attempted an immediate response, however in reality it was Albion controlling proceedings and the visitors took a lead into half-time.

United threatened more once the clash restarted, though failed to test Palmer much, with Vaulks firing their best chance a few feet wide.

Albion wanted a second and continued creating opportunities, playing some fantastic, flowing football and going close through Grant’s bravely blocked volley Racic’s comfortably-saved effort.

United threatened more once the clash restarted, though failed to test Palmer much, with Vaulks firing their best chance a few feet past the post.

Albion wanted a second and continued creating opportunities, playing some fantastic, flowing football and going close through Grant’s bravely blocked volley Racic’s comfortably-saved effort.

Grant and Racic both hit further shots wide towards the end, however it was Oxford who would land the final blow of the day - via a long throw.

Scarlett latched onto the throw nodding into the bottom corner to leave the Baggies ruing their missed opportunities in Oxfordshire.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggem; Racic (Molumby 83), Mowatt; Fellows (Wallace 70), Diangana (Swift 70), Grant; Maja (Johnston 83).

Substitutes: Wildsmith, McNair, Styles, Diakite, Dobbin.