Preparations are underway for Cambridge United’s next away trip in Sky Bet League One this weekend when they take on Barnsley at Oakwell…
How to Watch
Saturday’s clash in South Yorkshire kicks off at the usual time of 3pm. Supporters who wish to join them can buy their tickets via cufctickets.com up until 9pm on Friday, or from Oakwell on the day of the game.
Unable to attend? Follow the action with CUFC TV. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Simon Dobbin
Join supporters on Saturday as we honour Simon Dobbin - who was brutally attacked 10 years ago, and passed away in 2020 as a result of the attacks - with a minute's applause and sing "There's only one Simon Dobbin" in the 10th minute.
Opposition Focus
Established in 1887, Barnsley wasted no time in achieving success. Joining the Football League in 1898, the side originally struggled in Division Two, but used their FA Cup success in 1912 to cement themselves. Post-war, they fluctuated between the Third and Fourth Division, but built their way up and gate-crashed the Premier League for a single season in 1997/98. Most recently, they’ve pulled off the Championship ‘great escape’, went close to returning to the top tier with a promotion tilt, succumbed to League One football and then suffered play-off heartache in the previous two campaigns. The Tykes’ aim of capping a topsy-turvy era by going one better and ensuring it’s third time lucky made a strong start under tactician Darrell Clarke, but that lack of consistency and organisation meant a change in the ranks last week as the Head Coach was relieved of his duties, with former top-flight playmaker Conor Hourihane – just 34 – currently in interim charge for the hosts.
Whilst it’s still possible, Barnsley will continue to fight for a play-off berth, with nine points currently separating them from their position of 10th to the illusive top six, which was the aim heading into the season. All in all, it was a promising start which consisted of just one defeat from eight following their opening night defeat to Mansfield Town, with three victories in four keeping them in the race heading as the winter months came about. A poor November was backed up by an eye-opening Christmas schedule with four successive wins – notably against promotion rivals in Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham – ramping up the momentum. However, five losses in six followed, which piled on the pressure. Most recently, three successive defeats signalled the end of Clarke’s tenure. With nine to go, they’ll look conclude a testing 2024/25 in style and not with a whimper.
All change in the goalkeeping department, an injury to Jackson Smith last time out means 21-year-old Kieren Flavell could make his first league start for the club. Ahead of either tends to be a settled back three of Frenchman Mael de Gevigney – a mainstay since his 2023 move from Nimes – Conor McCarthy and experienced leader Marc Roberts. Supplying the energy and creativity in the wing-back roles are Corey O’Keeffe, one of the division’s assist kings, and Josh Benson, with a midfield trio of Jonathan Russell, the promising Luca Connell and Adam Phillips, who have all chipped in with 18 goals between them. In the final third, Stephen Humphrys and Max Watters are proven at this level, with key man Davis Keillor-Dunn continuing his impressive goalscoring form of last season – he’s bulged the onion bag 13 times and can determine a result with his attacking instincts.
Form Guide
- 25/02/2025 – Northampton Town 1-2 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
- 01/03/2025 – Barnsley 4-3 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 04/03/2025 – Charlton Athletic 1-0 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
- 08/03/2025 – Barnsley 0-3 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 15/03/2025 – Mansfield Town 2-1 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
It was a gut-wrenching derby day defeat for Cambridge last time out as Peterborough United secured the bragging rights at a bumper CB5 with a 0-1 success.
With very little to separate the sides throughout a fiercely contested 90 minutes, it was full-back Tayo Edun who made the difference midway through the second half courtesy of a free-kick.
As has been the case a plethora of times throughout a season where they’ve been unable to make their moments count at both ends of the pitch, a fourth consecutive loss – all by a one-goal margin – increased their gap from safety to 13 points.
Addressing the media after a frustrating afternoon, Neil Harris gave an honest and passionate account of the proceedings: “I can’t talk any more positively about the group and their attitude and demand to want to win and play really well at times. Everything about it was so good, apart from the most important part – putting the ball in the goal and stopping it at the other end.”
Eager to play for pride in the run-in, the Head Coach will be determined to break the rut at Oakwell and reward the fans, saying: “No game is a free hit. We come off the back of a disappointing run and there’s been some strong, honest conversations. Let’s go with some freedom, let’s go and attack the game. Every game is a one-off now so let’s enjoy it and make sure we’re better in both boxes than the opponents – that’s all that’s missing for us at the moment.”
Form Guide
- 01/03/2025 – Crawley Town 0-2 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 04/03/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
- 08/03/2025 – Wigan Athletic 1-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 11/03/2025 – Blackpool 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 15/03/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Barnsley Wins: 12
- Cambridge United Wins: 6
- Draws: 8
Last Time We Met
Saturday 16 November 2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
Grit and determination was on display in the reverse meeting at the Cledara Abbey back in November as United dug in to secure a well-earned 1-1 share of the spoils against Barnsley. A rapid start to the afternoon saw Dan Nlundulu power his side into an early lead before the Tykes hit back courtesy of a rapid counter from Stephen Humphrys. Although chances were at a premium for the hosts after the break, they remained collected and resolute to ensure a point apiece. The line-up: Stevens, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy, Kachunga, Njoku, Nlundulu.
Officials
- Referee: Richard Eley
- Assistant Referee: Bradley Hall
- Assistant Referee: Daniel Woodward
- Fourth Official: Jacob Miles