Swansea v Oxford Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Swansea.com Stadium Date - 6 December 2025 Kick off - 3pm Following their disappointing 2-3 away defeat at the hands of West Brom, next up for Vitor Matos’ hapless squad is a home fixture against fellow strugglers Oxford United, in a match that could prove pivotal for the Swans’ Championship season. Last Saturday, West Brom recovered from the shock of conceding after only 11 seconds as they came from 2-0 down to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over the struggling Swans. The Swans went ahead via the first attack of the game as Zan Vipotnik coolly lobbed West Brom keeper Josh Griffiths and they swiftly doubled the advantage thanks to Ethan Galbraith's fierce drive from outside the area. Albion were booed off at the break after a woeful first-half display, but turned the contest on its head as in-form striker Aune Heggebo struck twice in the first seven minutes of the second period. The hosts had all the momentum from that point on – and the winner eventually came when Jayson Molumby steered in from Josh Maja's lay-off. Molumby's close-range finish condemned the Swans to a fifth successive defeat, leaving them only outside the Championship's bottom three on goal difference having won just one of their past 10 league games. The previous evening, former Swan Przemyslaw Placheta's fine solo goal gave Oxford United an impressive victory over Ipswich Town, who missed the chance to go second in the Championship. Substitute Placheta latched on to Brian de Keersmaecker's pinpoint ball over the top, an excellent first touch took him clear and he slotted wonderfully past Christian Walton. Leif Davis had levelled for Ipswich after the break with an expertly taken volley from the edge of the box straight from a corner. In the first half Azor Matusiwa's loose pass had gifted Oxford an opener as Mark Harris ran on to the ball and stroked in his first goal of the season after Walton had saved his initial effort. Oxford's first win in six matches takes them out of the relegation zone and up to 20th - 1 place above the Swans, while Ipswich fell to 7th after their six-game unbeaten run was ended. The Swans have played Oxford on 30 previous occasions, winning 11, losing 12 and drawing 7. In last season’s corresponding fixture - which was the final match of the Championship season - the teams played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in a largely carnival atmosphere, much different to what can be expected tomorrow…… Hopefully the Swans can deliver a 90 minutes performance tomorrow and build upon an encouraging first half at the Hawthorns. That said, Oxford will be buoyed by the victory over Ipswich and will be hopeful of doing well against the Swans. I’m hoping that the Swans will finally click tomorrow, but must admit I’m far from confident. Matos needs at least a point tomorrow to kick start his reign. I think he will get it in a 2-2 draw - but in reality, we really need a win.
Cheer Taff Unlike with AS I do think we'll see progression. I can only see a home win and I'm going for a 3 - 1. p.s.
I was all hopefulled out last game but I've just found an optimism reserve in the back of one of the cupboards
Again thanks Taff.....here comes his first 3 points.........3-1 Swans...... Crowd to help roar the boys home.
If they realise they're at home and know how annoyed they crowd are after last weeks debacle then a win might happen ? 1-0 or 3-2 us !
Vitor Matos: “I have said before that the situation we are in is one that no-one expected or wanted, but that's the situation we are in. “So the way of dealing with that is that we have all got each other and we have to be together; the fans, the players, the club and that is the best way to get through these situations as I see things. That is what we need. “There's no time to cry about it or whatever, we just need to find a way to find togetherness as a club. “We want everyone to have each other’s backs, the players are trying to find this confidence and consistency to deliver as well, because they know we need to improve and they are trying to. “Then the fans can understand that we are one of them on the pitch, and we need them with us on the pitch, as well. That’s a relationship which we will need to give us a step forward, and I also believe that a step forward has to come from our side. We need to show that step forward and then everyone is on board.” Gary Rowett: "They are a very young mobile team who can move the ball well if you allow them to. We have to find way to make the game difficult and not allow them to dictate too much of it. "It's a time where you've got to dig in. We have to show resilience and look to get consistent energy. We've done that in the last three, and the challenge is to build on that."
Anthony Backhouse will be the man in the middle when Swansea City host Oxford United at the Swansea.com Stadium this afternoon. Backhouse has been an EFL referee since 2017 and became the first Cumbrian official for more than 40 years to be added to the EFL Referee list. His career highlights to date include refereeing the National League play-off Final in 2017, being fourth official in the 2022 FA Trophy Final and referee in the FA Vase Final in 2023. He last took charge of a Swans game in the 2-1 defeat at Preston, having also overseen a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in August. This afternoon he will be assisted by James Wilson and Andrew Fox. Elliott Swallow will be the fourth official.
Ronald and Melker Widell return to the Swansea City starting XI as Vitor Matos makes two changes for the visit of Oxford United. The Brazilian comes in for Zeidane Inoussa, who drops to the bench but is fit enough to be involved after overcoming a hand injury. Josh Key misses out through illness, so Widell also comes into the line-up as Ethan Galbraith moves to full-back. The other changes to the squad see Malick Yalcouye, Manuel Benson and Sam Parker named among the substitutes. Lawrence Vigouroux is in goal, with Galbraith slotting in alongside captain Ben Cabango, Cameron Burgess and Josh Tymon in defence. Goncalo Franco, Marko Stamenic and Widell will make up the midfield, with Ronald and Jisung Eom occupying the wide slots. Zan Vipotnik, who is a goal short of hitting double figures for the season, again leads the line for the hosts. Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, Ethan Galbraith, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Goncalo Franco, Marko Stamenic, Melker Widell; Ronald, Jisung Eom; Zan Vipotnik. Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jay Fulton, Malick Yalcouye, Liam Cullen, Manuel Benson, Kaelan Casey, Zeidane Inoussa, Adam Idah, Sam Parker. Oxford United: Jamie Cumming, Sam Long, Ciaron Brown, Will Vaulks, Michal Helik (captain), Mark Harris, Luke Harris, Brian De Keersmaecker, Stanley Mills, Jack Currie, Filip Krastev. Substitutes: Matt Ingram, Ole Romenij, Nik Prelec, Tyler Goodrham, Tom Bradshaw, Greg Leigh, Hidde ter Avest, Will Lankshear, Ben Davies.
Hopefully, Widell will take this opportunity by the scruff of the neck and stake a claim for a regular start
Great finish at Villa Park - Buendia scores the winner with last kick of the game. Wonder how much that will affect Arsenal’s chances of winning the PL?
Watford fought back to win 3-2. So, with Portsmouth’s match being abandoned due to a medical emergency, as long as we don’t lose by 2 or more goals, we won’t be in the drop zone come 5pm today
Not sure that was a pen on Ron but some would give it. We've not really settled yet, Oxford more like the home side in the early minutes.
