These two clubs have met only once in 29 years, with Brighton prevailing 4-2 in a League Cup at the Kassam Stadium almost exactly nine years ago to the day.
Oxford United vs Brighton preview
After an underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign, will this be the start of a memorable Carabao Cup adventure for Brighton & Hove Albion? On Sunday, the Seagulls were the first-ever visitors to Hill Dickinson Stadium and, well, they proved to be welcome guests, limply beaten 2-0 by Everton, with Danny Welbeck's tame missed penalty rather summing up their afternoon.
As a result, Fabian Hürzeler's team are still searching for their first win of the season, held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on the opening weekend, conceding a gut-wrenching 96th minute equaliser the day. Now though, with as many as nine other clubs in European competition, Brighton will be prioritising an extended EFL Cup adventure one that, they hope, could lead them back into Europe and, who knows, could see them land the club's first-ever piece of silverware.
First and foremost, they'll need to negotiate this potential banana skin. Oxford United have won this competition before, hoisting the trophy aloft in 1986, more-recently reaching the quarter-finals in 2019/20, albeit they've not gone beyond round two since. Gary Rowett's team did defeat Colchester in round one, but are enduring a truly miserable start to their EFL Championship campaign.
So far, the U's are one of only two second-tier clubs yet to get off the mark, beaten by Portsmouth, Hull and Birmingham to date, most recently defeated 1-0 at St. Andrew's on Saturday. Thus, Brighton have to be massive favourites to progress at Kassam Stadium on Wednesday night.
Oxford United vs Brighton head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 29.
- Oxford United Wins: 12. Draws: 9. Brighton Wins: 10.
Brighton team news
Fabian Hürzeler has plenty of options to choose from so, even if he does make wholesale changes, a strong side will be deployed. First, Adam Wesbter, Tariq Lamptey and Solly March all remain injured.
Meantime, centre-backs Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola will be hoping to make their debuts, as is teenaged striker Charalampos Kostoulas, who is yet to even be named amongst the substitutes.
Lastly, James Milner has featured in the EFL Cup for five different clubs, winning the trophy twice, but has never appeared for Brighton in this competition, so will that change on Wednesday?
Brighton & Hove Albion predicted lineup vs Oxford United: (4-3-3): Steele; Veltman, Coppola, Boscagli, Kadıoğlu; Hinshelwood, Milner, Gómez; Gruda, Mitoma, Rutter.
Brighton player to watch vs Oxford United
Diego Gómez, who joined from Inter Miami in January, scored his first goal for Brighton at Spurs on the final day of last season, so could the Paraguayan international be the star here?
Oxford United vs Brighton prediction
Given Brighton's strength in depth, we're backing the Seagulls to swat struggling Oxford aside at the Kassam Stadium come Wednesday night: Oxford United 0-3 Brighton.
Oxford United vs Brighton FAQs - Carabao Cup
How to watch Oxford United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup on TV channel?
Oxford United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Oxford United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup on live streaming?
Oxford United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Oxford United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup?
Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion takes place on Wednesday 27 August 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).