Match Preview: Cambridge Utd vs Shrewsbury Town

The U’s will be looking to get back to winning ways at the Abbey Stadium this weekend when they face Shrewsbury Town in League One…

How to follow the action

Saturday afternoon’s Sky Bet League One clash kicks-off at 3.00pm (GMT), with tickets still available for fans to buy.

Save money by purchasing your tickets in-advance of the fixture, as all prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day of the game. Please view advance prices below:

Advance Match Ticket Prices

Newmarket Rd/North Habbin

Main Stand Family Enclosures

Main Stand Blocks B, E, F & AC 1, 2

Main Stand Blocks C & D

Adult

£18

£19

£22

£24

Concessions*

£14

£14

£17

£20

Under 18

£8

£8

£10

£18

Under 12

£5

£5

£5

N/A

Wheelchair Disabled

£15

 

 

 

Ambulant Disabled supporters in receipt of higher-level disability living allowance pay their relevant age category with a Carer Free of Charge, whilst the Wheelchair Disabled price also included the admission of a Free Carer Ticket, if required. 
*Concessions = Seniors (64+), Young Adults (18-23), Serving or Retired Armed Forces and Full-Time Students

Overseas fans can stream the game live with an iFollow Match Pass. Match Passes cost £10 and are available to purchase by clicking here. Domestic supporters who can't make it to the Abbey can listen to live match commentary on iFollow.

If you encounter any issues, please contact the customer support team by emailing ifollow@efl.com.

Form 

Cambridge United form: DWWLL
Shrewsbury Town form: DLLWD 

United return to home comforts this weekend, having been beaten by promotion chasing Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers over the last week away from the Abbey.

Mark Bonner’s men, who are looking to maintain their four game League One winning run at home, welcome Shrewsbury having seen off high-flying Plymouth Argyle at the Abbey Stadium a week and a half ago.

More recently, a physical Wycombe side proved to be too much for United, with Anis Mehmeti’s brace, coupled with Gareth McCleary’s goal condemned the U’s to their second defeat in as many games.

After ending a run of nine games without a win in all competitions last weekend, Steve Cotterill’s side make the 285-mile round trip to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday looking to ease any remaining relegation fears within the Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium.

Only conceding 35 goals this campaign sees Shrewsbury arrive at the Abbey ranking amongst League One’s elite when it comes to goals conceded in the division, with only top two Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic boasting a better defensive record.

Having sat in the bottom four up until the end of November, a run of that has seen Salop lose just three times since the turn of the new has lifted Steve Cotterill’s side up to 17th in League One, seven points above the bottom four.

Down Memory Lane

United wins: 14
Draws: 9
Shrewsbury wins: 11

Head coach Mark Bonner has made it evident throughout the season that his side pay no attention to history, his side hold the historical edge over their opponents on Saturday, having come out on top on 14 of the 34 occasions to two sides have clashed, with Shrewsbury Town winning on 11 of them.

Despite the U’s historical ‘advantage’, it was Saturday’s visitors that tasted victory the last time the two sides met at the Abbey Stadium. Charlie Daniels and Brad Walker’s goals were enough to see Shrewsbury Town progress to the Second Round of last season's FA Cup.

Shrewsbury’s win over the U’s in October may live long in the memories of Salop fans, as Ryan Bowman’s hattrick, coupled with Luke Leahy’s last minute goal, condemned the ten-men of Cambridge to a 4-1 defeat the Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium.

Prior to October’s meeting, you would have to go back 26 years to find the last game between the two sides played in England’s third tier, with the U’s recording a win and a draw against Saturday's opponents during the 1994/95 season.

Saturday’s officials

Having officiated in Colchester’s draw with Leyton Orient on Tuesday night, Neil Hair will take charge of Saturday’s game at the Abbey as the U’s clash with Shrewsbury.

It’ll be the first time since the U’s 3-1 defeat at the Den in the Carabao Cup second round earlier this season that Hair has overseen one of United’s games.

Hair will be joined by assistants Andy Bennett and Marvyn Amphlett, with Geoffrey Russell overseeing the game as fourth official.

Quick Quotes

U’s head coach Mark Bonner on Shrewsbury:

“They’re a strong team, which they showed on Tuesday with the draw against Rotherham. They probably had the edged in that game, after having some good chances and Rotherham’s keeper had to play well to keep them in it at times.

“A physically strong side that are very athletic at the top end of the pitch, they’ve also got some good experience in the mix.”

Steve Cotterill on the U’s:

“I’ve seen a fair bit of them. I finished watching them yesterday and they’re a good team, good spirit, they’ve got some really good players and it’s just a game we’re looking forward to.

“We know they’ve done well this year; they’ve done very well in their first year up. I always think it’s easier for teams on their first year up so we know that it’s going to be a difficult game and no change with the journey on the bus, no change there that’s for sure!”