Cambridge United will be looking to book themselves a fourth consecutive campaign in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening as they take on Wycombe Wanderers for the last match of the 2023/24 season at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
How to Watch
The midweek curtain closer, which gets underway at 7:45pm, is poised to be played out in front of yet another jam-packed crowd. Thank you for your invaluable support throughout the 23 fixtures, which has seen the average attendance increase yet again.
With three of the hour home stands already sold-out, tickets for the Intelligent Membranes South Habbin can be bought from cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or on the day from the Ticket Office.
Don’t forget, all students in the city have the opportunity to back United for a discounted price of just £5 - please note, a valid Student Card will be required upon entry.
Supporters in the UK or abroad who are unable to make the journey can ensure that they don’t miss a kick of the action by purchasing an iFollow Match Pass – passes cost £10 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Opposition Focus
Founded in 1887 during a meeting held at the Steam Engine pub on Station Road, Wanderers first started playing competitive football in 1896, but resisted the opportunity to turn professional. A century later, following eight Isthmian League titles, two FA Trophy successes and a Conference triumph, the Chairboys finally became a Football League club in 1993. Latching onto the momentum, back-to-back promotions helped them accelerate into the third tier, where they stayed for over a decade. After four years of yo-yoing between 2008 to 2012, they escaped relegation back to non-league and became a dogged outfit, soaring to the Championship for the first time in their history as recently as 2021, where the great escape was almost performed. Play-off finalists a year later, there’s an itch of one day returning ready to be scratched and, although a previous ranking of 9th won’t be bettered, the side certainly have the resources and personnel to climb.
That’s thanks to a steady campaign under former player Matt Bloomfield, who has been at the helm since February 2023. He sets the improving Chairboys up in a robust 4-2-3-1 setup with a strong defensive unit on paper and a youthful, fluorescent attack peppered accompanied by a few experienced heads. Goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli has worked his way into the fold of late, keeping six clean sheets from 12, and has promising defensive duo Joseph Low and Chris Forino-Joseph ahead of him. Either side are the dependable Jason McCarthy and terrific playmaker Luke Leahy, who has combined for 16 goal involvements. West Ham United loanee Freddie Potts has been integral in midfield and has combined well with Josh Scowen, who help combine with veteran Garath McCleary and the exciting Dale Taylor. Sam Vokes has played the lone striker role over the years and continues to be a battering ram, he has the promising Richard Kone – January signing from Athletic Newham – to contend with, who has become an immediate fan favourite.
Currently enjoying their finest form of the season, the Chairboys found consistency hard to come by, particularly in the early stages as they lost 3-0 on back-to-back occasions to introduce 2023/24. Four wins from five followed, but ultimately they couldn’t accelerate the momentum as from October up until the new year they won just once from 14 attempts. An improved spell saw the side lose one in eight from here, with more complete performances helping them climb the table. Heading into this evening, they’ve won five, drawn twice and lost once so arrive with their heads held high, the perfect response to their recent EFL Trophy final to Peterborough United at Wembley Stadium. Situated in 11th, the aim is to conclude with their heads held high by retaining the unbeaten streak and sneaking into the top ten.
Form Guide
Cambridge United: WLDLL
Wycombe Wanderers: LDWWW
United’s Approach
The U’s are crucially still in control of their own destiny heading into the final week of the season, despite being edged out 0-1 by Derby County at the Cledara Abbey last time out.
Up and against it from the start, the visitors flexed their promotion credentials by taking a first-half lead through the ever-dangerous Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. It proved to be the difference on an afternoon where United battled well and played in high spirits and, if it wasn’t for a lack of extra cutting edge in the final third, they may have gained a point for their efforts.
Summarising the display, Garry Monk stated: “We’re competing hard. We’ve just taken 2nd in the league really close and had them pinned back the whole second half – there can’t be many teams that do that to Derby… I can’t complain again with the players. You can see there’s a group of players fighting, trying to get the right results for the club. We just have to continue with that.”
The permutations are simple. Two points from their final two and safety is secured. Alternatively, fellow battlers Cheltenham Town also play their game in hand this Tuesday – so long as they don’t win both then the U’s will be out of the woods no matter how they fare with their results. The hosts will be desperate to finish the job on their own accord as they attempt to mark a return to winning ways prior to what will hopefully be a stress-free final day.
Head-to-Head
Cambridge United Wins: 6
Wycombe Wanderers Wins: 16
Draws: 3
Down Memory Lane
There was no tricks during the Halloween reverse fixture at Adams Park. Instead, grit and determination was on show as the sides battled their way to a goalless draw and an eighth clean sheet of the season for United – which at the time was a feat not matched by anyone else in the Football League.
The point on the road has proven to be an important one, with Tuesday now being the perfect time to break a tricky rut against the travellers. Stretching back eight years, Cambridge have won on the solitary occasion from nine – that being an enthralling 2-3 triumph in October 2022 when Harvey Knibbs, Jack Lankester and Lloyd Jones all found the back of the net.
As far as meetings at CB5 go, Wanderers have enjoyed real success after winning four on the bounce. The last U’s victory was earned by Josh Coulson in 2016 when his header sealed the success during a League Two tie. If Monk’s men can get past the finish line by grabbing that long-awaited win, then another year of locking horns in the third tier beckons.
Officials
Referee: Will Finnie
Assistant Referee: Paul Kelly
Assistant Referee: Mark Jones
Fourth Official: Sam Purkiss