Oxford Utd vs Sunderland Prediction & Betting Tips (15 February)

Oxford United welcome Sunderland to the Kassam Stadium for this FA Cup fourth-round tie, looking to turn a gritty recent run into a statement cup performance. Des Buckingham’s side have been hard to beat at home in 2026, grinding out goalless draws against QPR and Bristol City before edging Leicester away, even if the 3–1 defeat at Sheffield United and 0–2 loss to Birmingham underlined their inconsistency in the Championship. Progress past MK Dons in the third round has kept optimism alive, and the chance to test themselves against Premier League opposition like Sunderland adds extra edge to a tie that has already attracted plenty of attention over the past few weeks.

For Sunderland, this trip south comes at a time when their season has been defined by sharp swings in momentum but also by a growing sense that they can compete with anyone on their day. A 3–0 home win over Burnley and a battling 2–1 success against Crystal Palace have showcased their attacking quality, even if setbacks away to West Ham and Brentford have kept them grounded. Their FA Cup journey resumed with a solid draw at Everton in the third round, underlining their resilience. Facing Championship opposition such as Oxford Utd in a knockout setting will test whether they can impose their Premier League tempo without leaving themselves exposed.

Recent weeks have also brought plenty of talking points around both squads, from rotation decisions in congested January schedules to how each manager balances league priorities with a realistic shot at a deep cup run. Oxford’s ability to keep clean sheets at home against QPR and Bristol City suggests a growing defensive organisation, while their supporters will hope the setback against Birmingham was more blip than trend. On the other side, Sunderland’s January sequence—tight draws at Spurs and Everton, plus that emphatic victory over Burnley—has highlighted a side that can control games when their midfield clicks. With both teams having logged heavy minutes since early January, freshness and bench impact could be decisive when Sunderland arrive in Oxford.

Tactically, this FA Cup clash feels primed for a cautious opening, with Oxford likely to lean on their compact home shape and Sunderland wary of overcommitting after some bruising away defeats in the league. The hosts will try to slow the tempo, frustrate their visitors, and rely on set pieces, while the visitors may probe patiently rather than chase an early knockout blow. Given Oxford’s recent run of low-scoring home matches and Sunderland’s mixed away form, a tight contest seems more probable than a shootout. With that in mind, our correct-score prediction settles on a cagey 0–0 outcome, a result that would reflect the balance of strengths and the pragmatic mood surrounding both clubs, and keeps the door open for a replay after what could be a tense ninety minutes against Oxford Utd<