Oxford United and Queens Park Rangers were both playing in the First Division and both entered the competition at the second round stage, under the tournament format in place at the time.

Despite the fifth-round tie, the attendance for the game was around 400 lower than the league average, after a boycott was organised because of increased ticket prices.

The first at Villa Park finished 2–2,[9] with the return leg ending in a 2–1 victory for Oxford after goals from Jeremy Charles and Les Phillips.

[10][5]: 122 QPR began the competition against Second-Division Hull City, winning 8–1 on aggregate, including a 5–1 away victory at Boothferry Park.

[17][18] Apart from the second-round tie against Hull City, all the teams that Queens Park Rangers defeated on their way to Wembley played in the First Division, including champions Liverpool.