Cambridge United will be looking to make it three unbeaten in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening as they do battle with promotion-chasing Wrexham at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
How to Watch
Once again, tickets are selling well for the midweek fixture under the floodlights, which gets underway at 7:45pm.
To avoid disappointment, purchase your tickets in advance by securing your place online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office. All prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day.
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
The third-oldest football club in existence after being founded in 1864, Wrexham have always been a side up for battle. Joining the Football League in 1920, their peak was in the late 70s as they embarked on the Second Division, but slumped to non-league in 2008. Always there or thereabouts, the Red Dragons couldn’t quite muster up a promotion charge, requiring 15 attempts in total. The tide immediately turned following the well-documented takeover in late 2020, with the potential finally unlocked in the proud, historic town. Under the tutelage of Phil Parkinson, they broke through in 2023 with a staggering 111 points before escaping League Two at the first hurdle last time out. Determined to not just consolidate and make up the numbers, the climb has continued for Wrexham, who are potentially on the cusp of Championship football.
And so the scene is set for the remaining seven matches, with the side occupying 2nd and battling it out with Wycombe Wanderers for the ticket to second tier football, with Birmingham City seemingly the runaway leaders. Well-structured defensively and ruthless in front of goal, Parkinson’s men started where they left off by winning four of their opening five before losing just once between early October to the start of 2025. Bar a tricky January, where they picked up four points from a possible 15, they’ve ticked along nicely and make the journey to Cambridgeshire off the back of three consecutive victories and clean sheets, with five from their last six – blistering form which they hope will continue until May.
With an array of experience and versatility at their disposal, the Red Dragons set up in an interesting 3-5-1-1 formation, which has been key towards their 20 shutouts so far this campaign. Still just 23, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will grow alongside the club and has a no-nonsense trio of Lewis Brunt, Eoghan O’Connell and Max Cleworth – on eight goals for the season – ahead of him. A compact midfield is blessed with the know-how of Elliot Lee, Matthew James, Oliver Rathbone or the energetic George Dobson, with wide options Ryan Barnett and James McClean popping up with a plethora of assists. Proven strikers Jack Marriott and veteran Steven Fletcher were key in the early stages, whilst a January of strengthening saw Wrexham ambitiously recruit another former top-flight attacker in Jay Rodriguez and the familiar Sam Smith, whose eye-catching displays with Reading earned him a £2 million move – the former U has popped up with two crucial matchwinners recently.
Form Guide
- 08/03/2025 – Wrexham 1-0 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
- 11/03/2025 – Reading 2-0 Wrexham – Sky Bet League One
- 15/03/2025 – Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Wrexham – Sky Bet League One
- 22/03/2025 – Wrexham 1-0 Stockport County – Sky Bet League One
- 29/03/2025 – Exeter City 0-2 Wrexham – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s picked up a second successive 1-1 draw in League One at the weekend as they remained resolute to seal a share of the spoils with Northampton Town in front of over 7,200 at the Abbey.
A drab first half affair with little opportunities saw the Cobblers deal the first blow 25 minutes in when star man Sam Hoskins fired home from close range. A determined response after the break secured the leveller when James Brophy scored for the second game in a row via a direct corner, but despite the promise of an end-to-end conclusion to the match, it couldn’t quite open up as United shut up shop to retain a tie.
Dissecting the performance, Neil Harris said: “We were really poor first half. It wasn’t what I want us to be in the sense of an aggressive Cambridge United and Neil Harris team – one that can play a little bit but also stand up to the fight… But then I’ll end the negatives there. The second half was much more like it. There wasn’t always a lot of quality, but it was much more effective at times. My glass is half full because we’ve come back and got a point.”
Form Guide
- 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
- 22/03/2025 – Barnsley 1-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 29/03/2025 – Cambridge United 1-1 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 14
- Wrexham Wins: 22
- Draws: 15
Last Time We Met
Saturday 14 December 2024 – Wrexham 2-2 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Fans will be hoping for a carbon copy performance from the reverse fixture in Wales prior to Christmas, as the U’s showcased real desire to dramatically rescue a 2-2 draw. Character and guts were on display from the very first whistle at the SToK Cae Ras, with the visitors drawing first blood through Elias Kachunga. James McClean immediately equalised for Wrexham, who would go on to find the lead mid-way through the second half courtesy of the experienced Steven Fletcher. Just when the points looked sealed, Dan Nlundulu converted from the spot to seal a well-earned point. The line-up that day: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Watts, Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy, Kachunga, Lavery, Nlundulu.
Officials
- Referee: Thomas Parsons
- Assistant Referee: David Harrison
- Assistant Referee: Andrew Hickman
- Fourth Official: Declan Bourne