English Other
2025-08-12 - Oxford United vs Colchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup First Round
Tuesday 12th August 2025 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Oxford United
Appointing an experienced manager like Gary Rowett worked out as Oxford United would have hoped and a decent second half of the season maintained their spot in the Championship. They returned to the second tier for the first time since 1999 and Oxford United are once again going to be looking to avoid finishing in the bottom three.
The former League Cup Winners have only been beaten in the First Round of this competition once in the last 7 seasons and Oxford United will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to open the 2025/26 campaign. There is no doubt that the Championship is the priority, although the Oxford United fans would be hoping for a decent Cup run or two this season as a relief from always fighting for points.
Oxford United did not play poorly on Saturday, but they were beaten 0-1 by Portsmouth and that is a reminder of the challenges this club face in trying to maintain their Championship status. Going back to the end of last season, Oxford United have lost 3 of their last 4 home games in the second tier.
Colchester United
Danny Cowley had built his reputation during his time managing Lincoln City and he helped Colchester United have a much stronger campaign last time out compared with the previous season. After barely finishing above the bottom two places in 2024, Colchester United finished 10th last season and will be looking to earn a top seven spot in League Two this time around.
The greater expectation can build up some pressure and Colchester United have not made the most convincing start to the League Two season. After a very surprising run to the Quarter Final of the League Cup in 2019/20, Colchester United have been beaten in the First Round in 3 of the last 5 seasons.
Colchester United have played out consecutive 1-1 draws to open the season and that has extended their winless run to 6 games. The manager will know that his team have to be a lot better than they were in the 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic, while Colchester United have won 1 of their last 6 away fixtures and lost half of those games played.
Head to Head
Colchester United beat Oxford United 1-0 at home in the FA Cup in November 2003.
These teams have not met in a match hosted by Oxford United since January 2001.
Prediction
Neither of these teams have made the brightest start to the season, but Oxford United are at home and that can be decisive in this League Cup First Round tie.
Gary Rowett will feel his team were perhaps a little unfortunate to lose to Portsmouth and they can bounce back ahead of the next Championship fixture.
Colchester United have bigger expectations compared with twelve months ago, but they have not been very good in the first two League Two fixtures. They were very fortunate to leave Boundary Park with a draw and giving up the same kind of chances to a club from the second tier should result in a defeat.
The Pick :
Oxford United 2-1 Colchester United
