Match Preview: U's vs Chairboys

Jordan Cousins during training

Cambridge United are on the hunt to secure an instant return to winning ways in Sky Bet League One this weekend when they welcome promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers to the Cledara Abbey Stadium…

How to Watch

Demand is once again high for Saturday afternoon’s encounter in CB5, which gets underway at 3pm. 

Buy your tickets 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

There’s a real sense of rejuvenation for the visitors, who despite a managerial change continue to from strength to strength in their pursuit of Championship football. The Gareth Ainsworth era, which started with a battle to avoid the drop to non-league, helped secure promotion to the second tier for the very first time in 2020, but a change was due in February 2023 when club legend Matt Bloomfield – still early in his coaching days – took the reins and provided them with not just a run to the EFL Trophy final, but with a springboard for this season, where they’ve threatened the promotion pack. Despite losing the manager to Luton Town a few weeks ago, Sam Grace has picked up where they’ve left off – can they break through at the fourth attempt after recent rankings of 6th, 9th and 10th?

An attack-minded and free-flowing outfit, nobody in the 92 have scored more than the Chairboys’ 54, who are comfortably situated in 2nd with a healthy six-point cushion inside the automatic spots – three points this weekend could even see them climb to the summit. In a league blessed with big hitters, it’s been their astute business which has paid dividends. Despite losing their opening two victories, both by a 3-2 scoreline against Wrexham and Birmingham City, they embarked on a staggering 19-match unbeaten run - which included eight consecutive wins from October to November – to keep momentum rolling. Since the turn of the year, their sole defeat from six has come at the hands of Huddersfield Town, with the side currently enjoying a run of three games without a loss. They’ll be determined to extend that at the Abbey. 

Comfortable in their 4-2-3-1 system, goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli has made the number one shirt his own and will be eyeing up a 10th clean sheet of the season, as will the array of defensive options ahead of him in the returning Caleb Taylor, the know-how of Sonny Bradley and creative full-backs Jack Grimmer and Luke Leahy – already on 11 goal involvements in all competitions. Josh Scowen and Tyreeq Bakinson orchestrate from the defensive midfield role, which allows freedom to roam for a fluid attacking department. Playing Premier League football last season, Fred Onyedinma causes havoc from the right and Dan Udoh is a powerful presence on the other flank, whilst Ipswich Town loanee Cameron Humphreys has been a revelation with his ability to make space and unlock a defence. At 37, Garath McCleary’s experience and skill on the ball is a handy asset, but it’s Richard Kone who’s been stealing the show – the league’s top scorer has bulged the onion bag on 16 different occasions and understandably is in hot demand. Keeping hold of the striker, who was plying his trade with Athletic Newham just over a year ago, could be the difference.

Form Guide

  • 07/01/2025 – Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
  • 10/01/2025 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Portsmouth – Emirates FA Cup Third Round
  • 18/01/2025 – Mansfield Town 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
  • 25/01/2025 – Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
  • 28/01/2025 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One

The Amber Angle

The U’s were unable to stretch their unbeaten run to three matches on Tuesday evening as Rotherham United came from behind to wrap up a 2-1 triumph at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

After cancelling each other out in a tight first half full of no-nonsense defending and strong organisation, the match burst into life after the break as the in-form Ryan Loft put his name on the scoresheet again with an expert run into the box and rifled finish. Mallik Wilks popped up with an immediate equaliser to flip momentum and hand the hosts impetus to go on and secure the win courtesy of captain Hakeem Odoffin.

Reflecting on the defeat and the goals conceded, Garry Monk said: “It’s about managing those two moments, there was nothing else really in the game. It’s frustrating, but we have to quickly get ready for the game on the weekend.

“There was a real good moment of control. We came out second half and deservedly got that goal. I’ve said before, there’s effort and spirit, we’re fighting hard.”

The narrative in the dogfight remains similar for Cambridge, with 19 more opportunities awaiting them from now until May to bridge what is a current six-point gap from safety. With the home faithful behind them, they’ll be fired up to make ground and cause a surprise.

Form Guide

  • 01/01/2025 – Cambridge United 1-3 Reading – Sky Bet League One
  • 04/01/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Bristol Rovers – Sky Bet League One
  • 18/01/2025 – Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
  • 25/01/2025 – Cambridge United 3-2 Mansfield Town – Sky Bet League One
  • 28/01/2025 – Rotherham United 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One

Head-to-Head

  • Cambridge United Wins: 6
  • Wycombe Wanderers Wins: 17
  • Draws: 4

Last Time We Met

Saturday 21st September 2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One

Our last meeting on a warm September afternoon resulted in a late 2-1 victory for a confident Chairboys outfit at Adams Park, which stretched the U’s winless start. Undone early doors by Garath McCleary’s well-taken finish, Monk’s men made their first opportunity count straight up the other end as Dan Nlundulu made it two strikes from two with a composed effort. However, the relentless Wycombe dominated the second half and accumulated a plethora of chances, with their pressure paying off five minutes from time as Cameron Humphreys secured maximum points. The U’s line-up: Reyes, Okedina, Digby, Ibsen Rossi, Gibbons, Smith, Brophy, Andrew, Kaikai, Longelo, Nlundulu. 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Martin Woods
  • Assistant Referee: Alan Cresswell
  • Assistant Referee: Paul Evans
  • Fourth Official: Isaac Searle