Oxford United 2-2 Leicester City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Oxford United 2-2 Leicester City in the Championship on Saturday, 13 September 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

The match between Oxford United and Leicester City ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, a result that might not have been surprising given both teams' recent form. Oxford, who had drawn their previous home game against Coventry City, managed to hold their own against a strong Leicester side. The early goal from Will Lankshear set the tone for Oxford, and an own goal by Boubakary Soumaré just before halftime gave them a lead. However, Leicester fought back, with Jordan Ayew and Ricardo Pereira scoring to level the game, showcasing their resilience despite being a man down after Aaron Ramsey's red card.

This result did not extend or end any particular run for either team, as both had mixed results in their recent fixtures. Leicester, coming off two wins, showed their quality but were unable to secure all three points. For Oxford, this draw at home against a higher-ranked team could be seen as a positive, especially after their recent losses away from home. Lankshear's early strike was a standout moment, highlighting his potential impact on the team.

The statistics from the match reflect a closely contested game, with Oxford United holding 55% of the ball possession compared to Leicester's 45%. Both teams had an equal number of corners, with four each, indicating a balanced battle for control. Leicester's higher successful dribble percentage of 64% compared to Oxford's 47% suggests they were more effective in moving the ball forward, despite having less possession. The red card for Leicester's Aaron Ramsey and the subsequent two yellow cards for their players highlight a more disciplined approach from Oxford, who only received one yellow card.

These stats align well with the final result, as neither team dominated the game entirely. The equal number of corners and the close possession figures underline the competitive nature of the match. Leicester's higher dribble success rate is notable, but their disciplinary issues, particularly Ramsey's red card, likely played a role in the outcome.

The game's early stages were crucial, with Will Lankshear scoring for Oxford in the 9th minute, setting an aggressive tone for the home side. This early lead was extended just before halftime when Boubakary Soumaré inadvertently scored an own goal, putting Oxford in a strong position. However, the momentum shifted in the second half when Leicester's Jordan Ayew scored in the 13th minute, quickly followed by a red card for Aaron Ramsey in the 24th minute, which left Leicester with ten men.

Despite being a man down, Leicester showed resilience, with Ricardo Pereira scoring in the 55th minute to level the game. This goal was a turning point, as it not only brought Leicester back into the match but also showcased their ability to adapt and fight back under pressure. The numerous substitutions made by both teams in the second half indicate a tactical battle, with Oxford making five changes and Leicester matching that number, trying to find the winning edge.

Oxford United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Jamie Cumming in goal and a backline of Sam Long, Michal Helik, Ben Davies, and Jack Currie. The midfield was anchored by Cameron Brannagan and Filip Krastev, with Przemyslaw Placheta and Brian De Keersmaecker on the wings. Up front, Matt Phillips partnered with Will Lankshear, who made an immediate impact by scoring early in the game.

The lineup was fairly standard, with no major surprises. The substitutions made by Oxford, including Luke Harris, Nik Prelec, Stanley Mills, Siriki Dembele, and Mark Thomas Harris, suggest a tactical shift in the second half to maintain their lead and then to find a winner. Lankshear's performance was notable, as his early goal set the tone for the match.

Leicester City opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jakub Stolarczyk in goal and a defense consisting of Hamza Choudhury, Caleb Okoli, Jannik Vestergaard, and Luke Thomas. The midfield was controlled by Boubakary Soumaré and Oliver Skipp, with Issahaku Fatawu, Aaron Ramsey, and Stephy Mavididi supporting the lone striker Matteo Di Norscia.

The lineup was as expected, but the red card to Aaron Ramsey in the 24th minute forced a change in strategy. The substitutions of Ricardo Pereira and Harry Winks at halftime, followed by Patson Daka, Jordan James, and Bobby Reid later in the game, were crucial. Pereira's goal in the 55th minute was a testament to the impact of these changes, showing Leicester's ability to adapt and remain competitive despite being a man down.

Will Lankshear is Coral’s Man of the Match, and his performance justified this accolade. Scoring the opening goal in the 9th minute, Lankshear set the tone for Oxford United's aggressive start. His contribution was significant, with one goal and two key passes, demonstrating his ability to influence the game both in attack and in creating opportunities for his teammates.

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 2-2 vs Leicester City (H)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Coventry City (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Birmingham City (A)

• Loss: 2-3 vs Hull City (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 2-2 vs Oxford United (A)

• Win: 2-0 vs Birmingham City (H)

• Win: 1-0 vs Charlton Athletic (A)

• Loss: 1-2 vs Preston North End (A)

Oxford United now sit in 22nd place with 2 points. Their next challenge is against Bristol City, who are in 3rd place with 11 points, on September 20, 2025, at 14:00. This result against Leicester might boost their confidence, and they will need to approach the game with a similar intensity and tactical discipline to secure a positive result against a strong opponent.

Leicester City remain in 4th place with 10 points. They face Coventry City, who are in 6th place with 9 points, on September 20, 2025, at 11:30. Despite the draw and playing with ten men for much of the game, Leicester showed resilience and will need to maintain that fighting spirit in their upcoming match to continue their push up the table.

Championship Game Week 6, 25/26

• Middlesbrough Vs West Brom

• QPR Vs Stoke City

• Birmingham Vs Swansea

• Leicester City Vs Coventry

• Blackburn Rovers Vs Ipswich Town

• Derby County Vs Preston

• Hull City Vs Southampton

• Portsmouth Vs Sheffield Wednesday

• Sheffield United Vs Charlton

• Norwich City Vs Wrexham

• Bristol City Vs Oxford Utd

• Millwall Vs Watford

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.