Follow live coverage as Oxford United face Cardiff City in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.

City created the first clear-cut opportunity of the match on the 15 minute mark, as Chris Willock struck on goal from the edge of the area. His deflected shot met the crossbar and landed at the feet of Yakou Méïté, though his own effort was saved by the outstretched glove of Jamie Cumming.

New Oxford manager Gary Rowett enjoyed a winning start to his reign with a 3-2 victory over fellow Championship strugglers Cardiff.

Two struggling sides will face each other when Oxford United tackle Cardiff City at the Kassam Stadium on Thursday. Cardiff United are unbeaten in all their head-to-head games against Oxford United. Can they continue this trend?

Here is your team news ahead of our Sky Bet Championship clash against Oxford United this afternoon. There are two changes from last time out, with Callum O'Dowda and Rubin Colwill stepping in to the starting lineup. Cardiff City: Alnwick (C), Rinomhota, Chambers, Goutas, Bagan, O'Dowda, Siopis, Robertson, Willock, Colwill, Méïté.

The pick of the stats as Oxford United take on Cardiff City in the Championship on Boxing Day.

Gary Rowett won his first game in charge of Oxford United with a 3-2 win over Cardiff City this afternoon to lift themselves out of the bottom three.

The pick of the stats as Middlesbrough take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Boxing Day.

The pick of the stats as Norwich City take on Millwall in the Championship on Boxing Day.