Following a two-week break from action in Sky Bet League One, Cambridge United make the trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium this weekend to take on Bolton Wanderers…
How to Watch
Approximately 300 of the amber nation are poised to make the trip up to Greater Manchester for Saturday’s encounter, which gets underway at 3pm.
Please note that this is an all-ticket fixture, therefore supporters must buy in-advance as there will be no sales available on the day.
Those who are unable to attend can back the boys from home via their CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
A heavyweight of the division, the four-time FA Cup winners were formed in 1874 and have had a topsy-turvy couple of decades under their belt, from the highs of a UEFA Cup run to sliding to the pits of the fourth tier. Since the appointment of Ian Evatt in July 2020, the Whites have been accustomed to a strong incline thanks to promotion at the first attempt, stabilisation and recent rankings of 5th and 3rd, which included a play-off final defeat last season. The aim of playing Championship football for the first time since 2019 appeared to be looming closer, but a hangover has ensued this time around due to a lack of consistency of late. When the going gets tough, can they pull together during the second half of the campaign and unleash their quality?
An opening day victory away at Leyton Orient made for a strong start, but the Trotters just couldn’t find their feet from here as they recorded one point from a possible 12, not scoring a single goal and conceding an alarming eight. Nonetheless, they soon started to ascend up the table by picking up six wins, a draw and the solitary defeat in their next eight, which included dismantling Reading 5-2 and putting four past Northampton Town and Stevenage. They responded to a heavy 5-0 thumping by Stockport County with a three-game unbeaten run, but a below-par Christmas period saw them gain just two wins from their previous seven to situate them in 10th with a four-point gap from the elusive top six. Reduce that on Saturday and momentum will shift once more.
Sticking with the compact 3-1-4-2 system which has brought so much success over the years, there’s an array of talent at Evatt’s disposal. Nathan Baxter is the mainstay between the posts and is expected to be joined by George Johnston, Will Forrester and colossus captain Ricardo Santos – all form a tight unit and were instrumental last season. Following an eye-catching loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, Aaron Morley has been recalled and occupies the holding midfield role, which allows new signing Joel Randall and George Thomason freedom to roam. Hungarian Szabolcs Schon and the creative Randell Williams create from out wide, supplying ammunition for the likes of Aaron Collins – already on 13 for the campaign in all competitions – and John McAtee, who will form a key partnership following the recent exit of talisman Dion Charles.
Form Guide
- 29/12/2024 – Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 01/01/2025 – Mansfield Town 2-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 04/01/2025 – Exeter City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 11/01/2025 – Rotherham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 14/01/2025 – Lincoln City 0-1 Bolton Wanderers – Vertu Trophy Round of 16
The Amber Angle
It’s been a fortnight without football for the U’s, with the desire to return to winning ways still at the forefront of their attention after the narrow 0-1 defeat against Bristol Rovers last time out signalled a fifth successive defeat.
A close-range header from Luke Thomas mid-way through the first half was enough to separate the sides on an afternoon of small margins for Cambridge, who applied the pressure, had their moments but ultimately couldn’t capitalise as they ended with 10 men after a late dismissal.
With the encounter against Blackpool postponed last weekend owing to the weather, focus immediately turned towards the trip to Bolton and how they can bridge the eight-point gap from safety and secure a second away win of the campaign – the break has certainly allowed them to regroup and recuperate, as well as get underway in the transfer window.
The battle to survive is not a situation they’re unfamiliar with, the U’s have been there and done that before and will hope their know-how can soon come to fruition, with Garry Monk stating: “We’ve had another week on the training ground which has been good, and just emphasising the bits that we need to do. It also brings the injured boys a week closer without losing a game which is good.”
Form Guide
- 20/12/2024 – Cambridge United 0-4 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 26/12/2024 – Charlton Athletic 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 29/12/2024 – Leyton Orient 2-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 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
Head-to-Head
- Bolton Wanderers Wins: 9
- Cambridge United Wins: 4
- Draws: 9
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 26 November 2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
Seven weeks on, memories are still fresh from the reverse fixture at the Cledara Abbey when the ten men of Cambridge generated late euphoria to deservedly rescue a 1-1 draw in a feisty third tier matchup. After showing excellent application and limiting the Wanderers to very little, the hosts were dealt a mammoth blow moments after the break when Jubril Okedina received his marching orders. The visitors capitalised on the hour through Aaron Collins and looked to put the tie to bed, but the U’s persevered and went for the jugular to earn a share of the spoils courtesy of Sullay Kaikai’s expert header. The line-up on that evening: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Brophy, Kaikai, Njoku, Loft.
Officials
- Referee: Tom Nield
- Assistant Referee: Jonathan Hunt
- Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallison
- Fourth Official: John Mulligan