Cambridge United will be looking to secure back-to-back victories in Sky Bet League One for the first time since October on Tuesday night as they do battle with Rotherham United at the AESSEAL New York Stadium…
How to Watch
A healthy number of the amber nation are expected to make the trip to South Yorkshire for the midweek encounter, which gets underway at 7:45pm. Those who wish to join them can purchase their tickets on the day from the ground.
The clash will be shown live on Sky Sports+ for fans in the UK who can’t make it to the game, whilst overseas supporters can stream the action live on CUFC TV.
Opposition Focus
Hailed as the kings of the third tier over recent years, Rotherham United have more often than not had the ingredients to dominate League One football but couldn’t quite crack the Championship. Since 2014, they’ve achieved four promotions, but each time found themselves tumbling back, most recently last season following a two-year stay. Under savvy operator Steve Evans, the task is to make the Millers more well-oiled, do the basics right and challenge with the heavyweights – they’ve certainly been here before, but have found consistency hard to come by this time around. Can the cream rise to the top in the second half of the campaign?
It was certainly a slow start for Tuesday’s hosts, with the only win from their opening eight coming against fellow relegated outfit Huddersfield Town in late August. They followed up the reverse fixture at the Abbey with a second victory on the trot against Reading, but went into December off the back of four defeats from five and concluded the year in poor form. Nonetheless, they’ve since improved – prior to the surprise 4-2 defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday, they enjoyed a five-match unbeaten run and have definitely found a goalscoring touch of late. As a result, they sit in 13th, with eight points separating them from the top six.
After reclaiming his place between the sticks back in November, goalkeeper Dillon Phillips will be looking for his fifth clean sheet of the season and you’d expect that to soon happen with an array of experienced options in the defensive areas like Sean Raggett, Zak Jules, Hakeem Odoffin and wide options Reece James and Cohen Bramall. Covering ground in the middle of the park, Cameron Humphreys and Joe Powell – a key asset for Burton Albion prior to his summer move – can win the ball and supply for new recruit Louie Sibley, who at 23 has already achieved a promotion from this level as well as 80 Championship appearances. In the final third, former Slovan Bratislava striker Andre Green has combined for five goals in the last two games and could be joined by loanee Mallik Wilks or the proven Jordan Hugill.
Form Guide
- 04/01/2025 – Huddersfield Town 0-0 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
- 11/01/2025 – Rotherham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 14/01/2025 – Chesterfield 0-0 Rotherham United (3-4p) – Vertu Trophy Round of 16
- 18/01/2025 – Rotherham United 4-2 Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 25/01/2025 – Burton Albion 4-2 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
United survived a late fightback at CB5 last time out to hold onto a morale-boosting 3-2 success over newcomers Mansfield Town, which helped ascend them up two places in the table.
Just like they had done a week earlier, the U’s came out of the blocks firing and were two goals to the good after just five minutes when Michael Morrison poked home and Josh Stokes slotted in a penalty. Moments into the second half, a barnstorming strike from Ryan Loft was a worthy way to open his Cambridge account and keep his side in cruise control. Following a front-footed and reinvigorated hour of football, a triple switch from the Stags turned the tide, who pulled two goals back courtesy of George Maris and Lee Gregory. Despite ending with 10 men, the hosts stood firm to pick up a first win in eight.
Beaming with pride, Head Coach Garry Monk said: “From the terraces to the pitch, everyone has played their part today and that’s crucial for every game we play for the rest of the season – home and away… I thought everyone did their role and we deserved to win the game, that’s the most important bit. We were excellent for the majority of the game. We got what we deserved today and it’s nice to be able to say that.”
It was just the reaction the U’s required after victory was snatched from them late on at Bolton Wanderers. Now, they make the journey with two encouraging performances behind them and four potentially vital points. They’ll look to keep plugging away and reducing the gap from safety - which now reads at six points.
Form Guide
- 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
- 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
Head-to-Head
- Rotherham United Wins: 15
- Cambridge United Wins: 8
- Draws: 6
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 1 October 2024 – Cambridge United 0-1 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
Heartbreak at the death meant that the U’s were denied a first clean sheet of the season and a deserved point under the Abbey floodlights back in October as the Millers came away with a slender 0-1 win. It was a confident display from the hosts, whose defensive solidity dealt with Rotherham’s set piece prowess. At the other end, they created many opportunities to take the lead, but were made to pay when Sam Nombe turned the ball home from close-range to leave the hosts shellshocked. The line-up three months ago: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Digby, Gibbons, Brophy, Njoku, Nlundulu.
Officials
- Referee: Ross Joyce
- Assistant Referee: Declan Ford
- Assistant Referee: Andrew Aylott
- Fourth Official: Benjamin Speedie