Attention is firmly focused on the latest Cambridgeshire derby this weekend at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as Cambridge United return home to lock horns with Peterborough United…
How to Watch
Saturday’s Sky Bet League One tie, which kicks off at the earlier time of 12:30pm, is expected to be played out in front of a near sold-out CB5 crowd with over 7,000 tickets already purchased.
The Newmarket Road End is already sold-out, whilst the Petrest Main Stand and North Habbin are on the brink of capacity, so avoid disappointment by purchasing your tickets online at cufctickets.com, over the phone on 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Stadium Ticket Office during our usual opening hours.
Fans who are unable to attend can still back the boys from the comfort of their own home as the match will be shown live on Sky Sports+ for those in the UK, whilst overseas supporters can stream the action on CUFC TV.
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 since 2008. Despite recently suffering back-to-back play-off defeats, with rankings of 6th and 4th showcasing their calibre and potential, any hopes of making it third time lucky this time around were soon squandered owing to an inconsistent campaign for the youthful outfit, who in an open division still need to ensure safety sooner rather than later. With newly-built momentum on their side, particularly after recently confirming their place for another EFL Trophy final Wembley outing, they’ll be out to continue that by securing the double over the U’s.
A disappointing season thus far by their standards, Posh sit in 20th a current six-point gap from the bottom four. Whilst their 60 goals shipped, and just four clean sheets, has been a cause for concern, their free-flowing attack can prove devastating for anyone on their day – nobody in the bottom half have scored more than their 52. Despite starting strongly, the side won on just one occasion in six from late August to October, with a bleak winter spell seeing them then record one victory from 12, including eight defeats in that run to plummet down the division. Nonetheless, there has been reason for optimism of late, as the men in blue make the short journey with a five-match unbeaten run behind them.
Ferguson has handed the responsibility between the sticks to the experienced Jed Steer of late, with the experienced glovesman keeping two shutouts from four. Swede Oscar Wallin could be joined by January signing Sam Hughes at the heart of defence, with 19-year old James Dornelly and the overlapping Tayo Edun as full-backs. A solid spine just ahead consists of Archie Collins and Hector Kyprianou, with a plethora of options in the final third that include front-footed wingers Cian Hayes, Abraham Odoh and Malik Mothersille, with the latter combining for 21 goals in all competitions in 2024/25. Former Colchester United man Bradley Ihionvien is eager to get off the mark in the league, with fellow striker Ricky-Jade Jones enjoying his best goalscoring season to date and livewire Kwame Poku working his way up to full fitness from injury, which scuppered his mesmerising form.
Form Guide
- 22/02/2025 – Huddersfield Town 0-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 26/02/2025 – Wrexham 2-2 Peterborough United (2-4p) – Vertu Trophy Semi-Final
- 01/03/2025 – Peterborough United 3-1 Shrewsbury Town – Sky Bet League One
- 04/03/2025 – Blackpool 0-0 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 08/03/2025 – Peterborough United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s made the long journey home from Blackpool empty-handed on Tuesday evening as a 2-1 comeback victory for the Tangerines confined them to a third consecutive defeat.
A pulsating start in Lancashire saw Dom Ballard capitalise on a defensive mishap to open his account in amber. Although they were immediately pegged back by Ashley Fletcher’s close-range finish, the visitors remained front-footed and continued to show endeavour, but it was thar final moment and quality which they rued as dangerman Sonny Carey secured the points via a counter-attack during the second half to leave Cambridge 10 points adrift with 10 to go.
Reflecting on the slender defeat, Neil Harris said: “There was so much good about it but again we fell short. And the hard part Is the position we find ourselves in is gut-wrenching. If we look at the short term, was it a good performance? Yes. Is it acceptable to lose? No, of course it’s not.”
With another derby on the horizon, the Head Coach understands the importance of giving the fanbase an afternoon to remember by getting one over their bitter rivals, stating: “For the players, mentality is a big one. You can’t forget what has happened the rest of the season for either team, but it’s a good opportunity for a clean slate and for a one-game mentality.
“It’s about bragging rights; it’s about giving pride back to our fanbase and an opportunity for us to do that individually and collectively. It’s about making sure our mentality is correct.”
Form Guide
- 22/02/2025 – Cambridge United 2-0 Stockport County – Sky Bet League One
- 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
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 15
- Peterborough United Wins: 21
- Draws: 11
Last Time We Met
Saturday 9th November 2024 – Peterborough United 6-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Revenge is well and truly on the U’s mind, with memories of the dismantling received in the reverse fixture in the north of the county four months ago still fresh. Torn apart by a devastating 20-minute spell in the first period from the hosts, who roared ahead courtesy of well-worked goals from Ricky-Jade Jones, Kwame Poku and Malik Mothersille. The Posh eased up after Ryan De Havilland made it five, allowing Sullay Kaikai to pull one back, but Poku secured his hat-trick on the cusp of full-time to conclude a hard-hitting afternoon. The line-up that day: Reyes, Gibbons, Morrison, Okedina, Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy, Kachunga, Njoku, Nlundulu.
Officials
- Referee: Edward Duckworth
- Assistant Referee: Ryan Whitaker
- Assistant Referee: Alex Mathieson
- Fourth Official: Alan Young