This is the third FA Cup tie between Oxford and Sunderland – the U’s won 2-0 in a third round replay in 1988-89, while the Black Cats won 3-2 in the fourth round in 1991-92, eventually reaching the final.
Sunderland lost their last meeting with Oxford last April in the Championship but they have never lost consecutive games against the U’s in all competitions.
Oxford United are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for just the second time this century, previously doing so in 2016-17. The U’s have been eliminated in 10 of their last 12 fourth round ties.
This is only Sunderland’s second FA Cup fourth round tie in the last 11 seasons – they were knocked out by Fulham in 2022-23 at this stage. They last reached the fifth round in the 2014-15 campaign.
Oxford have been eliminated in eight of their last nine FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, progressing only against Swansea City in 2015-16 in this run, beating them 3-2 in the third round.
