The highly-anticipated Cambridgeshire derby awaits in-form Cambridge United this weekend, who make the short trip to the Weston Homes Stadium eager to overcome Peterborough United and extend their Sky Bet League One winning streak…
How to Watch
United will be buoyed by a sold-out away end of 1,664 fans for this weekend’s clash, which gets underway at 3pm.
Supporters are advised not to travel without a match ticket. However, any returns will be made available at cufctickets.com.
Those who are unable to attend can back the boys from home via their CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream every kick live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Founded in 1934, Peterborough United have been somewhat of a yo-yo club since the turn of the millennium, with Darren Ferguson spearheading the side to four promotions and a couple of EFL Trophy successes since 2008. Fans will hope that it’s a case of third time lucky in their pursuit of a Championship return after suffering back-to-back play-off defeats. Rankings of 6th and 4th has showcased their calibre and potential – can the youthful outfit go one better and capitalise on an extremely open division?
It’s safe to say that Posh are an entertaining watch this season. Occupying 13th position, they sit five points outside the play-offs following a dramatic start. They’ve plundered 25 goals in total, the second most in the division, but at the other end are yet to record a single clean sheet after conceding 26, the most of any side. An opening day defeat at home to Huddersfield Town was rectified with an impressive run of one loss from their following six – which included victories against Shrewsbury Town, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers. From here, they then won on one occasion from five attempts, shipping 13 in total. Most recently, and last time out at London Road, they recorded a scintillating 5-1 thrashing over Blackpool before succumbing to a last-gasp defeat at Bolton Wanderers. Consistency is now a must if they wish to charge into the top half.
Operating with a 4-2-3-1 setup, Ferguson demands exciting and attacking football from his energetic players. Australia Nicholas Bilokapic continues to impress between the sticks and could get the nod, with a rearguard of 19-year-old James Dornelly, Swedish pluck Oscar Wallin, Emmanuel Fernandez and the creative Jack Sparkes ahead of him. Archie Collins and Ryan De Havilland, one of a few former Barnet stars, pull the strings in the holding role, allowing for a fluid attack to drive into space and test defences. Livewire Kwame Poku always has a moment of brilliance in his locker, with fellow winger Malik Mothersille’s output improving. After popping up with 24 league goal involvements last season, Joel Randall remains crucial as the advanced playmaker, with Ricky-Jade Jones the trusted striker who is on seven strikes in all competitions.
Form Guide
- 19/10/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 22/10/2024 – Peterborough United 5-1 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 26/10/2024 – Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 02/11/2024 – Newport County 2-4 Peterborough United – FA Cup First Round
- 05/11/2024 – Peterborough United 4-1 Crystal Palace U21s – EFL Trophy Group Stage
The Amber Angle
Confidence is sky-high in the amber camp heading into the latest instalment of the derby thanks to five consecutive wins and clean sheets on the bounce, a feat last achieved in January 2022 and October 2013 respectively.
The blistering form was stretched in midweek as United kept their Bristol Street Motors Trophy hopes alive with a deserved 1-0 win at the Abbey courtesy of Amaru Kaunda’s first professional goal – which capped off a front-footed and energetic second half.
Reflecting on a good night’s work, October Manager of the Month nominee Garry Monk said: “We spoke at half time about raising the tempo of the game and the physical side of it and second half we were excellent. I thought we should have been out of sight… Another clean sheet, a win, we’re trying to keep momentum and you can see the boys are fighting.”
And so the U’s make the journey as an optimistic bunch, knowing they’ve turned a corner after overcoming adversity, by tightening up defensively, doing the basics right and causing threats in the final third – with that clinical edge of late helping to find a different way to win. Despite languishing in 22nd, they boast games in hand over the sides around them and could require just a point to escape the drop, but with confidence oozing throughout the squad, they’ll be determined to grab all three.
In regards to team news, the Head Coach stated his desire to see Shayne Lavery appear but admitted they do not want to rush him. Fellow striker Ryan Loft has got a chance of being involved, whilst mainstay Danny Andrew will definitely miss out owing to a suspension. The status of Paul Digby, who left Tuesday's game with an injury, is currently up in the air.
Form Guide
- 19/10/2024 – Cambridge United 2-0 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 22/10/2024 – Stevenage 0-2 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 26/10/2024 – Cambridge United 1-0 Burton Albion – Sky Bet League One
- 02/11/2024 – Woking 0-1 Cambridge United – FA Cup First Round
- 05/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-0 Chelsea U21s – EFL Trophy Group Stage
Head-to-Head
- Peterborough United Wins: 20
- Cambridge United Wins: 15
- Draws: 11
Last Time We Met
Saturday 24th February 2024 – Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
It was the Posh who gained the bragging rights in our last encounter as they edged out a 0-1 triumph at a bumper Abbey Stadium. Under the tutelage of Barry Corr, United had lost three from four, whereas Ferguson’s side had suffered four defeats on the bounce, forcing an edgy 90 minutes where the hosts remained resolute to deal with a free-flowing attack, but a curler from Ephron Mason-Clark early in the second half proved to be the difference. The line-up that afternoon: Stevens, Gibbons, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew, Cousins, Thomas, Kaikai, Lankester, Brophy, Kachunga.
Boot in Both Camps
A physically imposing and explosive winger, 32-year-old Nathaniel Mendez-Laing first caught the eye within the EFL during a loan spell with Peterborough in 2010/11, which earned him a permanent move to London Road from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2012. A three-year spell saw him partake in the Championship, lift the EFL Trophy and enjoy a brief stint with the amber side of Cambridgeshire – scoring on his debut against Portsmouth. Revitalising his career at Rochdale, his drive and skill in the final third enticed Cardiff City, with whom he appeared in the Premier League and bagged four goals in 2018/19. After spending a season with Middlesbrough, the Guatemala international has recently terrorised League One defences with Sheffield Wednesday and now Derby County, popping up with 15 invaluable assists en route to promotion to the Championship, where he remains a regular.
Officials
- Referee: Edward Duckworth
- Assistant Referee: Richard Wigglesworth
- Assistant Referee: Jonathon Block
- Fourth Official: Robert Massey-Ellis