Cambridge United return to Sky Bet League One action on Tuesday evening as they pit their wits against Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium…
How to Watch
U’s fans eager to join the already-strong following who have secured their place for the 7:45pm midweek clash in Berkshire can purchase their tickets in-store until 5pm on Monday or up until 9am online on Tuesday. One away credit will be issued for this fixture.
Should you wish to buy on the day, tickets are also available from the ground ahead of kick-off.
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
Formed during the festive period of 1871, the hosts gradually built up steam towards 1895, where they turned professional and would go on to enjoy 22 seasons in the Southern League and gain some FA Cup exploits in the process. After gaining election to the Football League in 1920, the club have not looked back since. Predominantly a Third Division outfit throughout the course of their history, a spellbinding record-breaking 106 points in 2005/06 saw them storm to the Championship title, before finishing a remarkable 8th in their first ever season in the Premier League. Returning for just a sole season since (2012), the Royals’ 10-year stay in the second tier came to an end in 2022/23 owing to behind-the-scenes turmoil, which initially made their League One venture a tricky one to navigate. Nonetheless, under determined tactician Ruben Selles they consolidated last time out with a final position of 17th – the only way now appears to be up.
Situated in a healthy ranking of 7th – level on points with the play-offs – it’s been a consistent start for the Royals, who have certainly turned the screw of late. In their opening six, they shared an opening day draw with newcomers Birmingham City, but either side of dispatching Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic without reply, they suffered heavy defeats by three-goal margins to Wrexham and Bolton Wanderers. As autumn approached, they won five from six, cementing their impressive home form by grabbing maximum points with particularly noticeable displays against Huddersfield Town, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers. Most recently, they’ve responded to a 4-1 drubbing to Stockport County by enjoying a three-match unbeaten run in the league, which has included draws against Stevenage and Barnsley and a victory at Peterborough United.
The Madejski hosted a match just two days ago, as a rotated Reading overcame a determined Harborough Town in extra time, so further changes are expected on Tuesday to keep the group fresh. Portuguese goalkeeper is expected to remain between the sticks, with a youthful back four of Michael Craig, Louie Holzman, New Zealand international Tyler Bindon and flying full-back Jeriel Forsett ahead of him. A familiar middle three consists of Ben Elliot, Lewis Wing – who popped up with 23 goal involvements last season – and Charlie Savage, who is developing rapidly. In the final third, Chem Campbell is a livewire on the right and is adding numbers to his game, whilst the very familiar duo of Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith provide energy, excitement and a source of goals. Since their arrivals last season, Harvey has bulged the onion bag 22 times and Smith 23.
Form Guide
- 09/11/2024 – Stevenage 1-1 Reading – Sky Bet League One
- 12/11/2024 – Reading 3-0 Newport County – Vertu Trophy Group Stage
- 23/11/2024 – Peterborough United 1-2 Reading – Sky Bet League One
- 26/11/2024 – Barnsley 2-2 Reading – Sky Bet League One
- 01/12/2024 – Reading 5-3 Harborough Town – Emirates FA Cup Second Round
The Amber Angle
It’s full focus on league football for the U’s now, who bowed out of the FA Cup at the Second Round stage on Saturday courtesy of a last-gasp winner in extra time for Wigan Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.
A dramatic conclusion to the second period saw youngster Brandon Njoku hop off the bench and break the deadlock with a well-taken effort. Just once they looked to preserve their passage through, Thelo Aasgaard coolly converted five minutes from time to secure an extra 30. The hosts just about shaded the attempts as penalties loomed, but Jonny Smith struck an inviting cross into the net with virtually the last kick to force U’s heartache.
Reflecting on the defeat, Garry Monk commented: “It’s a right sucker punch that tonight. First half, I don’t think either team were right at the levels, in terms of the intensity… Second half we started to grow into the game a lot and were much more like ourselves… All through extra-time I thought there was only one team trying to win the game, so it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
Now, the task is to dust themselves down and aim on climbing out of the bottom four, with the gap reading at just three points ahead of what is an important week in League One as the Christmas schedule beckons.
Form Guide
- 09/11/2024 – Peterborough United 6-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 16/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
- 23/11/2024 – Northampton Town 0-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 26/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 30/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Wigan Athletic – Emirates FA Cup Second Round
Head-to-Head
- Reading Wins: 11
- Cambridge United Wins: 10
- Draws: 6
Last Time We Met
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Reading 4-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Our last meeting, at this venue nine months ago, saw the U’s succumb to a heavy 4-0 defeat. Played out in front of an excellent atmosphere, an energetic start saw Sam Smith and Femi Azeez help set the tone for the afternoon, with the free-flowing hosts controlling the game and applying damage after the break through blistering strikes from Lewis Wing and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan to consign the visitors to a seventh game without victory. The line-up on that day: Stevens, Gibbons, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew, Cousins, L. Bennett, Digby, Brophy, Kachunga, Taylor.
Boot in Both Camps
A prolific figure throughout the noughties, it was a popular spell with Cambridge that helped spearhead a rise to the Premier League for Dave Kitson. Born in 1980, the striker began his career in non-league with Hitchin Town and Arlesey Town before linking up with the U’s in 2001 and immediately establishing himself in the Third Division by plundering 47 goals in just over two seasons. This earned a move to the Royals for a fee of £150,000, where the bright-haired talisman remained consistent and helped claim the Championship title in 2006. He went on to represent Stoke City in the top flight, then moved his way down the divisions with Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Oxford United – maintaining a goal ratio of roughly one in three wherever he went. It was with the latter where he announced his decision to retire from professional football in 2014.
Officials
- Referee: Sam Allison
- Assistant Referee: Nigel Lugg
- Assistant Referee: Hugh Gilroy
- Fourth Official: Farai Hallam