Home Match Build-Up 31/01/2026 - Build-Up: Oxford United v Birmingham City

What will the result be?

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Northstandboy

Northstandboy

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Saturday 31st Jan 2026 @ 1500

 
I see Saturdays opponents have caused a bit of a stir in Spain by splashing out the best part of £10 million quid on a player from a La Liga club, Spanish football fans are not happy that championship clubs are taking their top flight players now. Not to go too Gary Rowett but shows how hard this league is.
 
My bluenose mate says he sees us winning, given how poor they have been away compared to how they are at home - 19th in the away games table as opposed to 7th in the home games. They have taken the same number of points away from home as we have (12), despite having played one more than us.
 
Steve Gilbert said:
Is there a Sunderland bandwagon and if so why? I really can’t see how it is an attractive cup tie.?
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Just for the record, I think it is an attractive tie and I'm very much looking forward to it. They're (now) a Prem club, who are in mediocre form and whom we've beaten recently in the League. Le Bris may well decide to field a below strength team and with our own upturn in form they could be there for the taking. Bring it on, I say!
 
Steve Gilbert said:
Is there a Sunderland bandwagon and if so why? I really can’t see how it is an attractive cup tie.?
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Don't see any attraction in the game at all. A team we've played a lot recently. Dull. Saving my money and putting it towards an away league game thats infinitely more interesting and actually matters..
 
holdsteady said:
I see Saturdays opponents have caused a bit of a stir in Spain by splashing out the best part of £10 million quid on a player from a La Liga club, Spanish football fans are not happy that championship clubs are taking their top flight players now. Not to go too Gary Rowett but shows how hard this league is.
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Look forward to giving him a rousing rendition of "what a waste of money" on Saturday then! (Providing he doesn't score against us that is of course!)
 
It'll be interesting to see whether we go with a back 4 at home. Donley and Shemmy on the bench in place of Vaulks and Phillips/Romney. Gives us insane depth and once a CB is signed we will be at a point where a player will have to be left out of the match day squad who, on another day, could easily start.
 
Whingit said:
It'll be interesting to see whether we go with a back 4 at home. Donley and Shemmy on the bench in place of Vaulks and Phillips/Romney. Gives us insane depth and once a CB is signed we will be at a point where a player will have to be left out of the match day squad who, on another day, could easily start.
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Bloomfield apparently likes squad rotation?
 
Whingit said:
It'll be interesting to see whether we go with a back 4 at home. Donley and Shemmy on the bench in place of Vaulks and Phillips/Romney. Gives us insane depth and once a CB is signed we will be at a point where a player will have to be left out of the match day squad who, on another day, could easily start.
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Sure I read that the set-up vs Leicester was a conscious decision to match up to them so assume it will have minimal bearing on a home game where we should be seeking the initiative.
 
Older Shotts said:
Don't see any attraction in the game at all. A team we've played a lot recently. Dull. Saving my money and putting it towards an away league game thats infinitely more interesting and actually matters..
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I don’t wish to hijack the Birmingham build up thread, but the game v Sunderland matters, not least because the winners earn £127,000, plus the opportunity to play what hopefully you wouldn’t find ‘dull’ opponents in the next round.
 
Emilio said:
My bluenose mate says he sees us winning, given how poor they have been away compared to how they are at home - 19th in the away games table as opposed to 7th in the home games. They have taken the same number of points away from home as we have (12), despite having played one more than us.
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Our home form's really cost us. We've scored more in away games.

The tide has to turn.

A home win against Sunderland (who spent over £160m in the summer) would be a real shot in the arm, but I'm hoping we don't have to wait that long.
 
werthersoriginal said:
Why is a home game against a fanatically supported PL club who are going well not an attractive cup tie?
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Personally, I want us to advance in the cup as much as we can. More money for the coffers and gives more confidence to the squad. Though yes I understand in the grand scheme of things, staying up is more important.
 
Another big money signing for Blues

 
I
Sarge said:
Lets keep the momentum building with an emphatic home win, 3-0

My youngest lad is coming to this one with me , his first home game of this season
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I’m starting to believe you might be onto something now Sarge, especially after getting the Leicester score right! Here’s hoping your predictions continue to be correct.
 
The one home game I can’t go to and the exchange is not open 😭
 
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