DEFEAT in the play-off final confirmed Oxford United will be playing in Sky Bet League One next season.

Just three spaces still need to be filled for the 2020/21 campaign – the sides relegated from the Championship.

While there is less than a week remaining of their season, nine teams are still in danger of slipping into the third tier.

Here is who United could be playing next term.

24th Barnsley

P43 43pts

Last league meeting: Oxford Utd 2, Barnsley 2 (Jan 29, 2019)

Automatically promoted last year, but after winning on the opening day of the season their second victory did not come until November 30.

The Tykes have a game in hand on their rivals, but they are four points from safety and their three remaining games are all against sides in the top five.

23rd Luton Town

P44 45pts

Last league meeting: Luton Tn 3, Oxford Utd 1 (May 5, 2019)

Herald Series:

The Hatters went up as champions in 2018/19, only to find the step up was tough.

While they have lost just once in the last ten games, too many draws have prevented them from making a break clear of trouble.

Also read: It's time to build again - Oxford United chairman's message

The Hatters have the worst goal difference in the division, but the remaining games (at freefalling Hull City and home to mid-table Blackburn Rovers) offer some hope.

22nd Hull City

P44 45pts

Last league meeting: Hull C 4, Oxford Utd 2 (Jan 17, 2004)

The Tigers look in big trouble and have lost their last four – including an 8-0 hammering at Wigan Athletic this week.

Their fate is likely to hang on Saturday’s home game with Luton Town. Lose that and they will be on course to drop out of the top two divisions for the first time since 2005.

21st Charlton Athletic

P44 47pts

Last league meeting: Oxford Utd 2, Charlton Ath 1 (Apr 19, 2019)

Herald Series:

The third of the teams promoted last season, who sit just above the dreaded dotted line.

They were on course to open up a four-point gap – five if you count goal difference – over the bottom three before conceding a stoppage time equaliser at Birmingham City last night.

One win should do it, but games against in-form Wigan Athletic and Leeds United will be tough.

20th Huddersfield Town

P44 48pts

Last league meeting: Oxford Utd 0, Huddersfield Tn 1 (Mar 6, 2004)

Got off to a shocking start after relegation from the Premier League in 2019.

Their form has picked up since then under Danny Cowley, but they still need one more good result to stay safe.

Clashes with second-placed West Bromwich Albion and play-off hopefuls Millwall do not look straightforward.

Herald Series:

19th Birmingham City

P44 50pts

Last league meeting: Oxford Utd 1, Birmingham 7 (Dec 12, 1998)

Former U’s boss Pep Clotet has stepped down early and their late equaliser against Charlton will probably keep the Blues up.

They have games against Derby County and Preston North End to finish the job.

18th Middlesbrough

P44 50pts

Last league meeting: Middlesbrough 4, Oxford Utd 1 (May 3, 1998)

Herald Series:

Two wins from the last three under new boss Neil Warnock should be enough to rescue their season heading into games with Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

17th Stoke City

P44 50pts

Last league meeting: Oxford Utd 1, Stoke City 1 (Feb 20, 2001)

As with Boro, their goal difference means a point will do the trick but given the number of sides between them and the bottom three they have probably done enough already.

That is a good thing for the Potters, whose last two games are against promotion candidates Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

13th Wigan Athletic

P44 57pts

Last league meeting: Wigan Ath 1, Oxford Utd 0 (Apr 17, 2018)

Herald Series:

One of the division’s form teams since the turn of the year and ordinarily should have ended their relegation concerns long ago.

But off-field problems over a takeover this summer saw the club enter administration earlier this month.

It brings a 12-point penalty which they are appealing – although as it stands even with the deduction they are out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Their final games are at struggling Charlton Athletic before finishing at home to Fulham.

Pictures by David Fleming, Richard Parkes and PA Wire.