Gary Rowett takes charge of his first game in the United hot seat on Boxing Day as United welcome Cardiff City to the Kassam Stadium (3:00pm kick off).
OXFORD UNITED
Rowett will make his first team selection for the U's on Thursday, with no new injury worries following Saturday's match at Leeds, although the game may come too early for Louie Sibley and Siriki Dembélé.
Speaking ahead of the game, Rowett said: "We'll be very organised out of possession. We're going to press at the right time and get on the front foot at the right time and try to put teams under pressure. We'll try to work incredibly hard to maintain that within the game.
"On the ball, you want to control the game. I'm more concerned about creating opportunities and having chances and having shots on goal. Sometimes you have to play forward with quality and precision a little bit quicker when the space is there. We'll see how that works in the first game."
You can see the full interview below:
CARDIFF CITY
The Bluebirds are one place above Oxford on goal difference following their 2-0 defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday.
After the game, City boss Omer Riza said: “The only thing we can do now is try to win games, and we are going to take that same approach into the Oxford game.
“Every game is big at the moment for us. This one even more so.
“It’s two teams at the bottom, trying to pick up points, and it’s a game we really need to win.”
Cardiff have not won away from home since April and are on a run of eight games without victory.
TICKETS & TRAVEL
Boxing Day games are always popular, and with limited tickets remaining. if you haven't got yours yet you need to hurry. Visit the ticket office in person, call them on 01865 337533, or book online HERE.
There are 2,000 free parking spaces available at the stadium on a first come basis. The car parks do tend to fill up quickly, so if you intent to park at the stadium make sure you get there early. There are also marked parking bays along Grenoble Road to the east of the stadium. Do not park on the grass verges or in the residents-only zones.
Alternatively, leave the car at home and take the bus to the ground. Our football specials are running as normal - see the story below.
Remember that, as for all Championship games, the gate behind the North Stand will be closed before and after the game.
