It’s a festive fixture up next for Cambridge United in Sky Bet League One as they take on Huddersfield Town at the Cledara Abbey Stadium on Friday night…
How to Watch
Tickets are selling at a rapid pace for the evening clash in CB5, which gets underway at 7:45pm. The Newmarket Road End and North Habbin are officially sold out, whilst the Petrest Main Stand and Mead Family Stand still have availability.
Be quick in securing your tickets in advance either online at cufctickets.com, over the phone on 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office.
Fans who are unable to attend the anticipated fixture can back the boys from the comfort of their own home via their CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary. The match is not available to view on Sky Sports+.
Opposition Focus
A giant of the English game a century ago, Huddersfield were founded in 1908 and soon celebrated an FA Cup win and three successive First Division titles – where they would stay until 1952. They continued to fluctuate from here, but most recently worked their way towards the Premier League in 2017, enjoying two seasons against the heavyweights. Last time out, the west Yorkshire outfit succumbed to the third tier for the first time in 12 years, prompting them to recruit Michael Duff on a three-year deal during the summer to help steer the ship.
The Terriers’ target of ensuring that it’s a short and sweet stay at this level has so far met expectations thanks to a satisfactory start. Occupying 4th position, they’re firmly situated in the play-offs with a six-point advantage, with the same gap denying them from the automatic promotion spots. They couldn’t have asked for a better start, dispatching Peterborough United, Stevenage and Shrewsbury Town in their opening three, but they went on to lose six of their next six to plummet down the rankings. Nonetheless, they’ve been inspired since the start of October, arriving to CB5 off the back of a 10-match unbeaten run which has consisted of seven victories.
Playing with confidence and showing no signs of a dip in their application, Duff deploys his troops in a 3-5-2 system which has an array of experience. Jacob Chapman has been the undisputed first choice this season over Chris Maxwell, with Nigel Lonwijk, Michal Helik and Matty Pearson – already on four goals – as a settled and dominant back three. Oliver Turton, Josh Ruffels and former Lincoln City ace Lasse Sorensen are the creative sparks from out wide, whereas Ben Wiles, David Kasumu and Herbie Kane remain central and know how to dominate in and out of possession. In the attacking ranks, 33-year-old Danny Ward is always dependable as the focal point, with Josh Koroma and Freddie Ladapo excellent and proven options at this level.
Form Guide
- 26/11/2024 – Leyton Orient 0-2 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 03/12/2024 – Huddersfield Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 07/12/2024 – Mansfield Town 1-2 Huddersfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 10/12/2024 – Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Huddersfield Town – Vertu Trophy Round of 32
- 14/12/2024 – Huddersfield Town 2-2 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s approach this tie full of belief that they can be a match for anyone in this division on their day after showing real desire to dramatically rescue a 2-2 draw against high-flying Wrexham in Wales on Saturday.
Character and guts were on display from the very first whistle at the SToK Cae Ras, with Cambridge drawing first blood through Elias Kachunga. James McClean immediately equalised for the hosts, 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 12 yards to seal a deserved point for his side’s endeavour.
Summarising the afternoon, Garry Monk said: “We stayed focused and I thought to a tee we were excellent. To come away from home against a team like this, where they are in the league, I think it’s more proof to the players that even though we are in the bottom four, we don’t feel like we’re a bottom four team.
“If we can keep setting performances like that, which we’re striving for, then we know that we are a much better team than where we are in the league.”
There’s certainly reason to be optimistic, with the U’s significantly improved ever since the October international break. Monk’s men have lost just twice in their last 10 league matches, and with squad depth bolstered and the games coming thick and fast, there’s plenty of opportunities to shoot up the table – with six points separating them from 16th. Finding another positive result heading into consecutive trips to the capital will only accelerate momentum.
Form Guide
- 30/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Wigan Athletic – Emirates FA Cup Second Round
- 03/12/2024 – Reading 3-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 07/12/2024 – Cambridge United 4-1 Shrewsbury Town – Sky Bet League One
- 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
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 1
- Huddersfield Town Wins: 11
- Draws: 8
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 16th November 2010 – Huddersfield Town 2-1 Cambridge United – FA Cup First Round Replay
Our last meeting 14 years ago ended in heartbreak for the U’s, who bowed out of the FA Cup courtesy of a last-gasp 2-1 comeback win for the Terriers in front of 3,766 at the Galpharm Stadium. Following a commendable goalless draw at CB5 10 days earlier, Martin Ling’s men – who were situated two divisions below – took the lead thanks to Rory McAuley’s powerful header but were undone in injury time as Lee Peltier and Gary Roberts snatched progression at the death. The line-up on that evening: Naisbitt, Roberts, Coulson, Partridge, Jennings, McAuley, Carden, Russell, Willmott, Gray, Wright.
Boot in Both Camps
They say good things come in small packages – and there was nobody more elegant on the ball than U’s legend Steve Spriggs. Born in 1968, the diminutive midfielder was an apprentice with our visitors before signing professional terms in 1973. After being restricted to a handful of games, he was plucked by Ron Atkinson two years later and frankly never looked back. The dynamo in the middle of the park made 416 appearances in black and amber – a Club record – and bulged the onion bag on 60 different occasions up until his retirement in 1987.
Officials
- Referee: Ollie Yates
- Assistant Referee: Joseph Stokes
- Assistant Referee: Ryan Williams
- Fourth Official: Oliver Mackey