Up next in Sky Bet League One, Cambridge United hit the road as they look to continue their improved set of results this weekend when they take on Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium…
How to Watch
A healthy following of over 600 U’s fans have already secured their place for Saturday’s encounter in Lincolnshire, which gets underway at 3pm.
Supporters who wish to join them buy on the day at Sincil Bank, but prices will increase by £2.
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
Under astute tactician Michael Skubala, hosts Lincoln have gone from strength to strength to firmly establish themselves at this level. A tough nut to crack with an immense team spirit, the Imps only need to take inspiration from their mesmerising late-season form in 2023/24, where they almost nicked a play-off spot on the final day. A National League outfit as recently as eight years ago, it’s been a real success story for the professional Imps, whose recent rankings of 17th, 11th and 7th in this tier indicate a side going in one direction. It’s a tougher division this time around, as they’ve found out, but it’s a challenge they’ve embraced as they remain well in contention to meet their objectives.
Lurking in 12th position courtesy of a satisfactory first half to the season, the Imps sit five points outside of the top six picture so know the importance of building up steam and gaining momentum at the right time. Starting as they meant to go on, they chalked five wins, three draws and the solitary defeat from their opening nine, but a tricky scheduled from November to mid-January saw City claim just one win from 12 as they struggled to find that goalscoring edge. Form has since improved, with a 0-1 success over Northampton Town and a 5-1 thrashing against Peterborough United helping to turn the screw, but they’ll be eager to grab a first victory in three on Saturday after recently suffering defeat to Blackpool and battling to a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic last weekend.
Operating in the modern-day 3-1-4-2 setup, Skubala has undeniable defensive quality and coverage in his group and is blessed with key attributes in the final third too. 23-year-old goalkeeper Zac Jeacock has worked his way into the XI recently and should be joined by a seasoned defensive trio in Sean Roughan, no-nonsense Paudie O’Connor and Adam Jackson – who have all been regulars in the last three years. The likes of Tendayi Darikwa, star man Ethan Erhahon and former U Conor McGrandles provide the bite and protection just ahead and also have coverage from wingers Ethan Hamilton and Dom Jefferies, who will both be eager to add goals to their game. Tom Bayliss is an experienced head at this level and can create for the underrated Ben House or experienced talisman James Collins, who’s bagged two goals since his January move. With young options Jovon Makama and Freddie Draper also waiting in the wings, there’s a plethora of choices who can take a match by the scruff of the neck.
Form Guide
- 14/01/2025 – Lincoln City 0-1 Bolton Wanderers – Vertu Trophy Round of 16
- 18/01/2025 – Northampton Town 0-1 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 25/01/2025 – Lincoln City 5-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 28/01/2025 – Lincoln City 0-2 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 01/02/2025 – Wigan Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
It was mixed emotions at the Abbey last time out as a late barrage of pressure saw the U’s claim a well-deserved 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers.
There was nothing to separate the sides in an evenly-matched start to the game, but the hosts were undone against the run of play when Cameron Humphreys drilled home. Mid-way through the second period, the trajectory of the game changed as the Chairboys were reduced to 10 men when Sonny Bradley saw red, but the U’s couldn’t convert from the spot to capitalise. Nonetheless, they continued to plug away to ensure a point apiece courtesy of a sublime Josh Stokes curler.
Reflecting on a display that could, and potentially should, have been worth three points, Garry Monk said: “There’s a tinge of disappointment we didn’t win it, but in the first half we lacked a bit of intensity. In the second half, we showed more energy, got the crowd involved and when we play like that good things happen for us.”
Ultimately, it plummeted United down to the foot of the table, but competition remains high with three points between them and Burton Albion in 21st. Consistency is a must from now on, but early signs indicate they may have found some rhythm, with the U’s making the journey off the back of one slender defeat from four. They’ll be fully aware of how important a second away win of the campaign could be.
Form Guide
- 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
- 01/02/2025 – Cambridge United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Lincoln City Wins: 18
- Cambridge United Wins: 14
- Draws: 17
Last Time We Met
Saturday 28 September 2024 – Cambridge United 0-2 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
Our last meeting four months ago resulted in disappointment as Cambridge were comfortably dispatched 0-2 by the Imps at a bumper CB5. On an afternoon where the hosts were unable to conjure up any clear-cut opportunities, it was Skubala’s men who proved the more clinical of the two as goals midway through each half from substitutes Freddie Draper and Bailey Cadamarteri sealed the points to leave the U’s winless. The line-up: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Gibbons, Smith, Digby, Longelo, Brophy, Nlundulu, Njoku.
Officials
- Referee: Steven Copeland
- Assistant Referee: Matthew Sowerby
- Assistant Referee: Bradley Hall
- Fourth Official: Sebastian Stockbridge