The U’s relegation to League One was confirmed before kick-off against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after both Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion picked up results in their lunchtime fixtures.

The Addicks beat Hull City 2-1 whilst the Baggies drew 0-0 with Ipswich Town, both seeing themselves unable to be caught by Oxford in their final two games of the season.

Oxford United winger Aidomo Emakhu (Image: Jason Dawson)

The Yellows will return to League One for the 2026/27 season after spending two years in the second tier.

United boss Matt Bloomfield succeeded Gary Rowett in January after a poor run of form since the start of the season with the aim of keeping Oxford in the second tier.

After picking up two draws and a win in his first three matches, Bloomfield experienced a poor run of form up until the February win against West Brom which began a run of one defeat in eight games.

READ MORE: Oxford United vs Sheffield Wednesday – Championship LIVE

READ MORE: Jamie Cumming discusses Oxford United relegation situation

Matt Bloomfield observes Oxford United’s defeat to Birmingham City (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

This restored some hope, but the recent back-to-back defeats against Derby County and Wrexham all dealt a huge blow to Oxford’s survival hopes.

The 2025/26 season has been full of inconsistency and dropped points which have ultimately seen The Yellows likely for relegation across the whole season.

An opening day defeat against relegation rivals Portsmouth followed a messy pre-season tour of Indonesia which scuppered preparations for the campaign.

The U’s sit 22nd in the second tier and six points from safety with two games remaining, meaning they are banking on the misfortune of other clubs to keep them in the league as they prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday today.

Cumming has been Oxford’s number one choice keeper for two-and-a-half years since initially joining on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea.

The 26-year-old helped The Yellows to promotion from League One and to Championship survival last season and has been brutally honest in his assessment of his side’s fortunes this season.

Oxford could be officially relegated before kick-off today if rivals Charlton Athletic get a result against Hull City, or West Brom win against Ipswich in one of the early kick-offs.

“We kind of put ourselves in that situation,” Cumming admitted.

“All we can do now is focus on our game on the weekend. It’s probably a good thing that we’ll know beforehand and if there’s odds to go our way, then we’ll give our all to take it to the last day.

“With this group it’s never been a lack of trying. We’ll always give our all every game. I think ultimately, a few too many times we’ve been on the wrong side of fine margins.

“It’s a brutal league, it’s got a lot harder this year with the teams coming up.

“If you look at our XI on paper compared to last season, you’d probably say overall it has improved. [But] so has everyone else and ultimately the game does come down to moments.

“You can talk about tactics, all of that, but if over and over again…when they get a chance, they score, and we’re not taking our chances; you make it tough for yourself.

“It’s just frustrating more than anything because I feel like we’ve got enough in the building, or we’ve had enough in the building, to not be in the situation but we are where we are so we’ve really got to dig in now and put a performance on on the weekend.

“If we can take it to the last day, I think the whole mood, everything changes again, everyone believes again.

“Fingers crossed those results go our way on Saturday afternoon and there’ll be a buzz in the stadium.

“If we get ahead in the game, the momentum will start to gather. Take it to the last day. I think anything can happen and that’s what we’ll look to do.”