OXFORD United went nearly two decades without playing Sunderland, but Saturday's meeting will be the sixth clash in just over two years.

The previous five have been closely-fought and packed with intensity:

September 1, 2018

Sunderland 1 (Wyke 52), Oxford United 1 (Holmes 16)

United had endured a terrible start to the season, but rose to the occasion in front of a crowd of more than 32,000 at the Stadium of Light.

Ricky Holmes's inch-perfect free-kick put the visitors ahead to send the 1,280 travelling fans high above Jon McLaughlin's goal barmy in the clubs' first meeting since 1999.

Max Power was then sent off for a wild lunge on Shandon Baptiste, who had a breakthrough game, but substitute Charlie Wyke netted an equaliser on debut for the ten men.

Witney Gazette:

  • Ricky Holmes takes the applause from the U's fans after scoring

Witney Gazette:

  • Shandon Baptiste produced a superb performance

Witney Gazette:

  • Jonathan Mitchell is unable to keep out Charlie Wyke's shot for the equaliser

February 9, 2019

Oxford United 1 (Browne 87), Sunderland 1 (Dunne 34)

The rematch saw United head into the game in the relegation zone, while Sunderland were fourth.

Jimmy Dunne's header from a first-half corner put the visitors in front.

But the U's struck a late equaliser when Jerome Sinclair, who had started the season with the Black Cats, set up Marcus Browne to score.

Witney Gazette:

  • Jamie Mackie forces a great save from Jon McLaughlin in the first half 

Witney Gazette:

  • Jordan Graham shoots on goal as United pushed for an equaliser

Witney Gazette:

  • Marcus Browne turns in Jerome Sinclair's cross to claim a point

August 3, 2019

Sunderland 1 (Gooch pen 49), Oxford United 1 (Fosu 14)

A new-look side on the opening day of the season played out a very similar clash to the previous year.

Two summer signings - Ben Woodburn and Tariqe Fosu - combined to give the U's an early lead.

Rob Dickie had a header disallowed for a foul by Jamie Mackie and it proved costly, as Lynden Gooch's second-half penalty earned a share of the points.

Witney Gazette:

  • Tariqe Fosu put United ahead on his debut

Witney Gazette:

  • Rob Dickie thought he had made it 2-0, but the referee spotted a foul by Jamie Mackie (left)

Witney Gazette:

  • Lynden Gooch's precise penalty levelled the scores

October 29, 2019

Oxford United 1 (Hall 25), Sunderland 1 (McNulty 78) (U's win 4-2 on pens)

A place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals was up for grabs and United, fresh from thumping West Ham in the previous round, struck the first blow.

Rob Hall's emphatic finish opened the scoring, but the hosts could not put the tie to bed and Marc McNulty bundled in an equaliser.

A nail-biting night went to penalties, where Will Grigg blazed over and Simon Eastwood saved from McNulty to send United through after James Henry, Anthony Forde, Tariqe Fosu and John Mousinho had held their nerve.

Witney Gazette:

  • Rob Hall steers Oxford United in front

Witney Gazette:

  • Simon Eastwood keeps out Marc McNulty's penalty

Witney Gazette:

  • Oxford United celebrate their shoot-out success

February 15, 2020

Oxford United 0, Sunderland 1 (Willis 2)

Finally the run of 1-1s was brought to an end.

In a repeat of the previous season's visit, Jordan Willis headed in a corner in front of the East Stand.

United pushed hard to claim a point, but for once they fell short in what remains their last home defeat in 90 minutes.

Witney Gazette:

  • Jordan Willis heads Sunderland ahead

Witney Gazette:

  • Dan Agyei has a shout for a penalty in the first half 

Witney Gazette:

  • Simon Eastwood joins the attack at a late corner as United searched for an equaliser

Pictures by David Fleming, Richard Parkes and PA Wire