The U's head into Tuesday night's clash at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium having won two of their last two outings...
Form
The last week has seen Mark Bonner’s U’s complete a cup double, confirming their progression in both the Papa John’s Trophy and the FA Cup. Goals from Sam Smith and Shilow Tracey saw off Walsall on Tuesday before Adam May and Harvey Knibbs struck to see the U’s secure their spot in the Third Round of the FA Cup, beating Exeter 2-1.
Cambridge United form: LDLWW
Prior to both cup games, the U’s were unable to salvage a point against Sunderland. Sam Smith had originally cancelled out Alex Pritchard’s opener midway through the first half, before Nathan Broadhead sealed the three points for Lee Johnson’s side with a thunderous effort from 25-yards.
Saturday’s enthralling 4-3 defeat against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup Second Round saw Michael Duff’s side lose their first game impressively since midway through October, a run in which saw the Gloucestershire side go unbeaten for eight games before eventually falling short in South London.
Cheltenham Town form: WWWDL
Tuesday’s game will see Duff’s side return to league action for the first time in over a week, whereby the Robins squandered a 2-1 lead at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. An Alfie May brace had seen Cheltenham lead at the interval, before Elias Kachunga second half strike saw the points shared at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Key Player: William Boyle
The tough tackling centre half progressed through the ranks at Huddersfield Town, before joining Cheltenham Town in 2017. Now 26, the Englishman, who boasts playing experience in the Championship, having made two appearances for the Terriers, has now ranked up almost 140 appearances for the Robins.
Down Memory Lane
Cambridge United head into Tuesday’s fixture having not beaten the Robin’s in the last five clashes between the two teams. The U’s last win against the Gloucestershire side came in 2018, as both sides played out an entertaining encounter, with the game eventually ending 4-3.
Greg Taylor and first team coach Barry Corr were both on the score sheet in 2018, as United sealed a comeback victory, having fallen behind after just three minutes.
The U’s will be familiar with Tuesday’s opponents, having been promoted alongside Michael Duff’s team last season, with the Robin’s running out victorious most recently, with Sean Long scoring the game’s only goal, seeing the eventual League Two champions leave the Abbey Stadium with all three points.
Quick Quotes
U’s Head Coach Mark Bonner is expecting a tough battle against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday: “They [Cheltenham] are on a really good run of form at the moment. They had a really tough run a few weeks ago, like the run we just had, but recently they have had a couple of brilliant results and Michael Duff has done a brilliant job there.
“We know a bit about them from last year, obviously winning the league, and they have since continued their momentum into this season. They have been exceptional.
“They had a strange result at the weekend, in the terms that they don’t seem to concede that many goals, however that was in a cup competition, and I have no doubt they will be back to their more normal ways tomorrow.
“We know it is a tough game for us, but we are looking forward to getting back into league action, after a nice break from the league over the last week.”
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff admires the U’s workrate: "One thing Cambridge are is they work hard for each other. They're a really good combative unit," he said.
"Ourselves and Cambridge wouldn't have been fancied at the start of last season but the togetherness we had got us promoted.
"We'll have to be a lot more aggressive and combative to get a foothold in the game.”
How to Watch
The clash kicks off at 7:45pm, with tickets available at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Matchday.
Away supporters will be in the Hazlewoods Stand, with tickets priced at £26 for Adults, £18 for Concessions and £10 for U18s.
Supporters who can't make it to the game can stream the action live with an iFollow Match Pass. Match Passes cost £10 and are available to purchase by clicking here.
The best way to stream the match is by doing so via the EFL iFollow App but please note, the App is only for streaming and supporters can't purchase their Match Passes through the application.
