Cambridge United will be striving to kickstart 2025 with three points towards their Sky Bet League One tally on Wednesday afternoon as they go head-to-head with Reading at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
How to Watch
A bumper crowd is poised for the New Year’s Day tussle in CB5, with the encounter getting underway at 3pm.
Secure your place for the big game by purchasing your tickets online at cufctickets.com, oor by visiting the Ticket Office on the day of the game. All prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day.
Fans in the UK who are unable to attend can get behind the team from the comfort of their own home, with the match being shown live on Sky Sports+. Elsewhere, overseas supporters can also stream the game live on CUFC TV.
Opposition Focus
Formed during the festive period of 1871, the visitors 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 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, but despite parting ways last month the only way appears to be up under Noel Hunt – can he ensure they’re fighting for promotion come May?
Situated in the play-off spots courtesy of an extremely consistent campaign, Reading will be out to cement their ranking of 6th as they hunt a third win on the trot. 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. They responded impressively to a 4-1 drubbing to Stockport County two months ago by experiencing a five-match unbeaten streak but were brought down to earth with a 0-3 defeat to Blackpool and a 2-0 loss at Lincoln City. Nonetheless, they stepped into the Christmas schedules with confidence, seeing off Northampton Town and Mansfield Town to give them real momentum heading into 2025.
Despite boasting one of the youngest squads in the division, the Royals showcase little fear and are an exciting watch with their energy and fluidity turning defence into attack. Obtaining a 4-3-3 setup, Portuguese goalkeeper Joel Pereira has forced himself as the number one and could have an unchanged back four of Michael Craig, Amadou Mbengue, New Zealand international Tyler Bindon and Abraham Kanu ahead of him. In the middle of the park, Hunt is blessed with a range of attributes in former Manchester United youngster Charlie Savage, dynamo Lewis Wing and Harvey Knibbs, who has grown into a standout player of the division. Chem Campbell and Mamadi Camara – one of many to rise through the ranks – possess a front-footed approach and combine well with the dangerous Sam Smith, who bulged 15 league goals last season and is currently on eight.
Form Guide
- 10/12/2024 – Walsall 1-1 Reading (4-2p) – Vertu Trophy Round of 32
- 14/12/2024 – Reading 0-3 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 21/12/2024 – Lincoln City 2-0 Reading – Sky Bet League One
- 26/12/2024 – Reading 4-1 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
- 29/12/2024 – Reading 2-1 Mansfield Town – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s League One losing streak was stretched to three matches last time out as they were professionally dispatched 2-0 by an in-form Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.
Despite making it a real contest within the opening half an hour – where they spurned a golden opportunity early on when Dan Nlundulu was denied by yards out – the O’s tenacity forced the opener when Ollie O’Neill slotted home. A disappointing showing after the break saw the hosts seal the victory when Jamie Donley finished off a sublime pass, allowing them to shut up shop and restrict United to very little attacking threat.
Bitterly dismayed with the loss, Garry Monk admitted: “It’s nothing catastrophic but it’s obviously serious. We’re all fully aware of that – we have been since the start of the season. We just need to focus on what we can control, which is ourselves. We’re trying to put our best out on the pitch.”
Now, the task is to capitalise on home advantage, with the U’s gracing the Abbey turf twice in the space of four days in what could prove to be a defining week of football. Prior to the defeat against Huddersfield Town under two weeks ago, they had gone unbeaten in five so they’re fully aware what an electric atmosphere can do in regard to changing their fortunes.
Form Guide
- 10/12/2024 – Cheltenham Town 2-1 Cambridge United – Vertu Trophy Round of 32
- 14/12/2024 – Wrexham 2-2 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 20/12/2024 – Cambridge United 0-4 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 26/12/2024 – Charlton Athletic 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 29/12/2024 – Leyton Orient 2-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 10
- Reading Wins: 12
- Draws: 6
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 – Reading 3-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
You only need to cast your mind back four weeks ago to our last meeting, which proved to be a solid evening’s work for the Royals who roared to a convincing 3-0 victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Following a closely-fought first half, where both sides had opportunities to open the scoring, the U’s were on the receiving end of a devastating 15-minute spell from the Royals, who cruised to victory courtesy of a well-taken Lewis Wing brace and a cool Mamadi Camara finish. The line-up on that day: Reyes, Ibsen Rossi, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Brophy, Kachunga, Nlundulu, Lavery.
Officials
- Referee: Jacob Miles
- Assistant Referee: Marcus Carmichael
- Assistant Referee: Paul Kelly
- Fourth Official: Richard Eley