Next up for Cambridge United is a trip to East London in the final Tuesday night game of the season…
Mark Bonner’s top-of-the-table U’s kick-off against Leyton Orient at 7pm, looking to consolidate their position at the league summit. With just four games to go, another three points would move Cambridge one step closer to a historic promotion into League One.
Leyton Orient have promotion aspirations of their own though, currently just two points away from the Play-Offs after an impressive run under Interim Player-Manager Jobi McAnuff.
Following Saturday’s win at Newport County, Cambridge now have the best away record in the division, with an incredible 36 points from 21 games. 16 of those points have come from their past eight games– the joint best away form over that span (with Bolton) in the league.
In terms of overall form though, the O’s have a slightly better record over the past eight games, having picked up 17 points in that time, compared to the U’s 16.
In McAnuff’s 12 games in charge, Orient have won six, drawn four and lost just twice.
Cambridge and Leyton Orient are regular foes, with the two sides facing off 48 times since 1978, when the clubs met for the very first time.
It’s the U’s who have the stronger head-to-head record, with 20 wins to the O’s 14.
The last time the sides played each other was on Boxing Day 2020, when goals from Wes Hoolahan and Paul Mullin helped secure a 2-1 win at the Abbey Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the game, U’s Head Coach Mark Bonner said, “Orient are really in the race and they have played a game more than most of the teams around them so wins are really important for them and they will really attack the game and chase the win I’m sure.
“We are certainly in a brilliant position now but we know things can chop and change very quickly. It’s a big week for us this week, but what an excellent challenge for us to attack these games and see where we can go.”
Orient’s Jobi McAnuff said, “It’s a great game for us. They have certainly set the pace this season and we were really disappointed earlier in the year when we came away from there with a defeat in a game we felt we should have won.
“We will be going into it full of confidence and ultimately they are the boys we are shooting at, they have had the season we want to have, so it’s a good chance for us to knock them off their pedestal.”
Christopher Pollard has been appointed Referee for Tuesday’s game, with Nicholas Cooper and Damith Bandara down as his Assistants. So far this season Pollard has handed out 79 yellow cards and eight red cards, from his 24 games across the EFL. His last Cambridge match was one to forget for U’s fans – the 4-0 defeat at Salford City last season.
Tuesday’s match is available to watch with an iFollow Match Pass. Match Passes cost just £10 and are available to buy now. The simplest way to do so is by clicking here and selecting the Orient fixture. Either log-in to your existing iFollow account or create a free account by clicking ‘Register Now’.
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Make sure to stay across the club's website and social media channels in the build up to kick-off, as the Matchday Live Team will once again be on the scene to take you closer to the action at the Breyer Group Stadium.