Cambridge United are out to extend their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One to five matches this weekend when they take on play-off occupiers Charlton Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
How to Watch
A bumper CB5 crowd is expected for Saturday’s matchup - which gets underway at 3pm - so please book your place in advance.
Buy your tickets for the game online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office. All prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day.
Unable to attend? Be sure to back the boys from home via your CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Under the guidance of the astute Nathan Jones - a top-flight gaffer as recently as 2023 – a special atmosphere is brewing at the Valley. A Premier League outfit during the turn of the millennium, Charlton have fluctuated between the second and third division ever since, with this being their fifth campaign in League One following rankings of 7th, 13th, 10th and 16th most recently. Progress was perhaps inevitable thanks to a positive summer, with a significantly-improved showing this time around firmly rubber stamping their promotion credentials. Could promotion be on the cards?
Currently occupying 5th position with a creditable 73 points, the Addicks know that three wins from their remaining five will guarantee a place in the play-offs. Many will expect them to finish the job and secure their ticket sooner rather than later thanks to a momentum-boosting patch of eye-catching form. It wasn’t until four months into the season when they embarked on a foray into the top half following inconsistent displays - since early December Charlton have lost on just three occasions, with three separate six-game unbeaten runs continuing their ascent. They make the short trip to Cambridgeshire off the back of one loss in 10, so the confident bunch will be quietly optimistic of achieving their goal of Championship football.
Setting up his XI in a 4-2-3-1 system, Jones has a plethora of talent at his disposal, which includes some familiar faces for the United faithful. Between the sticks is the commanding Will Mannion, who has continued his fine late-season form with his new club by keeping 10 clean sheets. A back four consists of Kayne Ramsay, Joshua Edwards, mainstay Macauley Gillesphey and Tom McIntyre, while former U’s Player of the Year Lloyd Jones has been the rock at the back and sorely missed of late. In the engine room, Conor Coventry and Greg Docherty – who cut their teeth with West Ham United and Rangers respectively – marshal the defence exceptionally and allow the well-known Luke Berry to drive into space and provide an attacking spark in the middle of bombing wingers Thierry Small and Karoy Anderson. Applying that killer instinct as the lone striker could be experienced head Matt Godden, who is on an impressive 14 league strikes so far, whereas powerhouse Gassan Ahadme will also be looking to make his mark from the bench.
Form Guide
- 15/03/2025 – Charlton Athletic 2-1 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 22/03/2025 – Peterborough United 3-0 Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 29/03/2025 – Charlton Athletic 4-0 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 01/04/2025 – Mansfield Town 1-2 Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 05/04/2025 – Charlton Athletic 2-2 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s gained a first triumph in eight last time out as a late showing saw them wrap up a deserved 0-1 win against basement side Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow.
An overall encouraging first half display, where the visitors in green had restricted Michael Appleton’s men to very little and controlled the match in and out of possession, all that was lacking was the killer instinct in the box. Just when another share of the spoils looked destined, United reacted to a defensive mishap to claim the triumph as Dom Ballard drilled home to secure a third away win of the season.
Proud of the character shown by his group, Neil Harris said post-match: “It was comfortable, wasn’t it? The scoreline says it was close, but we should have been more clinical in the first half. We got into so many good areas… I asked the boys for character. I was very clear post-match on Tuesday night how important this game was for me and the team… I want to see a lot more of that in the coming weeks, months, years.”
And so, for the first time since February 2024, Cambridge have gone four league matches without defeat, so they’ll be determined to continue that streak during the final hurdle and conclude with their heads held high.
Form Guide
- 15/03/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 22/03/2025 – Barnsley 1-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 29/03/2025 – Cambridge United 1-1 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
- 01/04/2025 – Cambridge United 2-2 Wrexham – Sky Bet League One
- 05/04/2025 – Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 8
- Charlton Athletic Wins: 10
- Draws: 9
Last Time We Met
Thursday 26 December 2024 - Charlton Athletic 2-1 Cambridge United - Sky Bet League One
It was the Addicks who received the gift of three points during our festive fixture on Boxing Day as a front-footed start was enough to see them grind out a 2-1 win in front of over 14,000 at the Valley. Tyreece Campbell gave the hosts the lead just 36 seconds in, before promising youngster Miles Leaburn doubled the advantage shortly after in a controlled opening. Elias Kachunga pulled one back for the men in amber early in the second half to breathe life into the contest as the U’s rallied late on, but Nathan Jones’ men were resolute to see out victory. The line-up on that afternoon: Reyes, Ibsen Rossi, Morrison, Watts, Okedina, Smith, Cousins, Brophy, Kachunga, Stokes, Kaikai.
Officials
- Referee: James Durkin
- Assistant Referee: Conor Farrell
- Assistant Referee: Stephen Brown
- Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear