With a selection of Premier League clubs entering the second round of the EFL Cup, Oxford United await a visit from Brighton & Hove Albion in an important tie for both sides. With the Seagulls’ league form faltering and Gary Rowett’s team also struggling, progression in the cup has become vital.
EFL Cup
Our Three Predictions for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
- First Prediction: Over 3.5 goals 7/5
- Second Prediction: Maxime De Cuyper to score anytime 4/1
- Third Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes 7/10
Betting odds are correct at time of writing via MyriadPlay
First Prediction for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion – Over 3.5 goals 7/5
Oxford United have seen this bet land just once so far this season. However, this was during a thrilling defeat at the hands of Hull City, who took the game to the U’s and showed superior attacking quality by the end. A late Oli McBurnie winner may have unsettled Rowett’s side as they await a visit from Brighton. The attacking quality on display at the Seagulls will be nothing like Oxford will face this season.
In the last seven Premier League fixtures of last season, this bet would have landed on five occasions. Hürzeler’s attack-minded approach sees plenty of chances converted in favour of Brighton, but it often leaves them susceptible to opposition fight-backs. With that said, an important game for both to bounce back will likely transpire into a high-scoring affair.
In both of these sides’ recent head-to-head matches, Brighton have ran out as winners with over 3.5 goals being scored on their own. In 2016, a 4-2 win away for the Seagulls saw progression to the third round of the very same competition. A revisit to this exact round fixture could see this bet land again. Earlier that summer, Brighton won 4-0 at the Kassam Stadium in a pre-season match.
Second Prediction for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion – Maxime De Cuyper to score anytime 4/1
Brighton will need to rotate in order to rest some important assets ahead of a match day three tie against Manchester City. However, with both Fulham and Everton nullifying the attacking threat of the Seagulls, Oxford United could be the receivers of a bounce back in goalscoring threat. Zero open play goals so far – in two Premier League matches – means something must change before Pep Guardiola’s side visit them on 31st August.
De Cuyper could be a player that is given even more attacking license. The flying left wing-back could be expected to open his account against an unusually poor Gary Rowett defence. The 24-year-old moved from Club Brugge this summer, with an early expectation of replicated attacking output. Having scored against North Macedonia in a World Cup qualification match for Belgium in June, De Cuyper found the back of the net in just his second pre-season game for the Seagulls; in a 2-1 victory over VFL Wolfsburg.
In the past four seasons, across Belgium at both Brugge and Westerlo, the wing-back has scored three times for the national team as well as on 24 occasions domestically – excluding friendlies.
With heavy rotation expected, there is potential that De Cuyper could miss out entirely from the starting lineup. Ferdi Kadioglu is a versatile full-back who can maraud into attacking channels on both sides on the pitch. Filling in at left and right-back is the Turkish defender’s speciality and could easily bench the 24-year-old. If this happens, a safer bet might be Yankuba Minteh scoring anytime at 2/1. The Gambian forward has donned the number 11 shirt from this season onwards and can be utilised as a striker or a pacey right-winger.
Third Prediction for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion – Both teams to score – Yes 17/20
Both teams need a result, likely culminating in both teams scoring. Oxford United have scored in two matches this season, with two goals coming away at Hull. The U’s have struggled in front of goal for the other two, but could grab an early opportunity to unsettle the visitors and assert some home advantage.
Brighton are serial goalscorers in the Premier League, despite not showing this so far in the 2025/26 campaign. The Seagulls are 1/50 to score 0.5 times in this meeting, emphasising their superior attacking ability. Furthermore, Oxford are 13/25 to also score at least once.
Best Odds for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
| Bookmaker | Oxford United | Draw | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| MyriadPlay | 11/2 | 7/2 | 2/5 |
| Gentleman Jim | 21/4 | 7/2 | 2/5 |
| Betarno | 11/2 | 15/4 | 4/9 |
Full Preview of the Game – Last Results and Head-to-Head
Oxford United began their campaign disappointingly with a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth. As two sides who survived in their returning Championship season last year, Pompey got the upper hand in comfortably asserting themselves for another campaign. A round one, 1-0 win over Colchester United saw Rowett’s side ease past League Two opposition. However, a 3-2 loss to Hull has recently been followed by a narrow, but convincing, defeat to Birmingham City at the weekend.
Brighton are entering the Carabao Cup at the second round stage so can only be judged off their Premier League performances this season. Fulham equalised in the final minute of play to draw 1-1 with the Seagulls on the opening weekend. David Moyes’ Everton completely silenced Hürzeler’s side with a 2-0 win during their inaugural Hill Dickinson Stadium home match.
Having only faced each other twice since 2016, Brighton scored four on both occasions that summer. A 4-0 away victory for the Seagulls was followed up in the EFL Cup second round with a 4-2 victory at the Kassam. This mid-week fixture is a carbon copy of the 2016 iteration.
Confrontation
Where to watch Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Where can I watch this Carabao Cup clash, either on TV or in-person?
- Location: The Kassam Stadium, Oxford
- Date: Wednesday 27th August 2025
- Channel: Live on Sky Sports+ from 7:30pm
Probable Lineups for Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
What sort of lineups can we expect for this second round fixture?
Predicted Oxford United Lineup:
- Lineup: J. Cumming, J. Currie, B. Davies, M. Helik, B. Spencer, H. ter Avest, C. Brannagan, B. De Keersmaecker, T. Goodrham, W. Lankshear, M. Harris
- Manager: Gary Rowett
- Injured: C. Brown, L. Harris, O. Romeny, N. Prelec (doubt)
Predicted Brighton & Hove Albion Lineup:
- Lineup: B. Verbruggen, M. De Cuyper, D. Coppola, O. Boscagli, F. Kadioglu, J. Hinshelwood, D. Gomez, M. O’Riley, K. Mitoma, Y. Minteh, C. Koustoulas
- Manager: Fabian Hürzeler
- Injured: A. Webster, T. Lamptey, S. March, T. Watson (doubt), J. Enciso, G. Rutter (doubt)
Media Centre – News about Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Oxford United – Official Twitter Page
Brighton & Hove Albion – Official Twitter Page
