Preview | Swansea City v Oxford United
Swansea City return to the Swansea.com Stadium to kick off their December fixtures as they welcome Oxford United to SA1 this afternoon (3pm kick-off).
The Swans are yet to pick up three points under new head coach Vitor Matos and were left frustrated to have let a two-goal lead slip last time out against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.
Last week saw Oxford secure two draws and a win in the space of six days, claiming a win in their most recent outing against Ipswich Town at the Kassam Stadium.
Team news
Vitor Matos has got his full squad available to select from, with the head coach reporting no injury issues ahead of the visit of the U's.
Pre-match views
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."
Meet the officials
Anthony Backhouse will be the man in the middle when Swansea City host Oxford United at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.
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.
On Saturday he will be assisted by James Wilson and Andrew Fox. Elliott Swallow will be the fourth official.
Remember the last time?
Swansea City 3 Oxford United 3 - May 3, 2025
Swansea City were denied a final-day victory as Przemyslaw Placheta's last-gasp strike ensured the spoils were shared on an emotional afternoon in SA1.
Jisung Eom had fired the Swans into the lead with a stunning individual strike, but the hosts were pegged back by Greg Leigh’s excellent volley shortly before half-time.
Ronald put Swansea back in front with a composed far-post finish, before Michal Helik forced home a second equaliser for Oxford.
Substitute Liam Cullen looked to have won it for the Swans when he arrived in the area to meet Josh Tymon’s wonderful delivery and power a header into the top corner, with full-back Tymon ending the afternoon with all three assists for the Swans.
However, there was a late twist as former Swan Placheta got into the area and fired home after the hosts had given the ball away cheaply in their own third.
Prime numbers
5 - Swansea have alternated between a draw (3) and a win (2) in their past five home league games against Oxford, drawing this exact fixture 3-3 last season.
100 - Today will mark Josh Key's 100th appearance for Swansea City since joining in the summer of 2023.