Cambridge United will be hoping to impress in front of the Sky Sports cameras for the second time this season when they take on Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Monday night…
Mark Bonner’s men are hoping to put on a spectacular display against the Brewers and claim their first win in five matches, while the hosts have gained momentum of late and go into the clash unbeaten in four matches.
How to watch
The U’s will be supported by healthy away fans throughout Monday night’s match, which kicks off at 8pm in Staffordshire. For those wishing to wait, tickets can be purchased online until 9pm on Sunday or on the day at the Pirelli Stadium.
As mentioned, this match has been selected for live coverage on Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. As the match is being televised, the game will not be available to watch on iFollow.
In addition, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire will provide full match commentary.
Oppositional focus
Founded in 1950, the former non-league side have risen through the ranks over the past few decades and haven’t looked back since joining the Football League in 2009 – even famously spending a couple of years in the Championship for just five years ago. The Brewers’ aim is to improve from recent finishes of 16th, 16th and 15th in the rankings, which are now stabilizing under activist Dino Maamria.
Changing formations to suit their opponents, Albion are comfortable deploying three or four at the back but have recently found joy in the latter. Each member of the close-knit team knows their role and has real energy and desire. Max Crocombe is the undisputed number one and the back four of Thomas Hamer, Sam Hughes, Ryan Sweeney and Steve Seddon is becoming extremely stable. Thriving as a defensive midfielder, the rejuvenated Deji Oshilaja is a powerhouse and cog in the midfield and has allowed Joe Powell to flourish of late. On the wings, the promising Mark Helm and Watford loanee Kwadwo Baah are exciting to watch and will be looking to add more goals to their game in addition to adding summer signings Josh Gordon and Mason Bennett.
A sluggish start saw the Brewers lose their first seven matches, picking up a total of two points – thanks to draws with Wycombe Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers – between defeats to Blackpool, Derby County, Shrewsbury Town , Exeter City and Barnsley where they failed to score in every game. The momentum and climb out of the bottom four with a 2-3 win at Port Vale was bolstered by win shares against Fleetwood Town and Reading before Wigan Athletic were put to the sword for the final time with a 2- 1 thanks to Powell’s play. coals. They are now desperate to extend their two-point lead after the drop and seal their first home league win of the season.
Form Guides
Burton Albion: Airborne Forces
Cambridge United: LLDDL
United’s approach
The U’s will be licking their wounds and looking forward to their next match after suffering a 0-4 defeat to clinical Barnsley at the Abbey last time out.
First-half strikes from Nicky Cadden and Mael De Geviny left the hosts struggling and they could find no consolation despite plenty of tries as the Tykes went from strength to strength to end the game through Max. Powerful finish from Watters and late curler from John Russell.
Summing up the 90 minutes, the head coach said: “I can’t even believe the score is 0-4 tonight. We lost a couple of games by big scores, but it was a pretty even game with both teams creating the same number of chances.”
This extended United’s winless streak to four. However, individually, five points picked up in a difficult five-game block against four promotion-chasing teams means perspective is needed as they remained competitive throughout the match. With a favorable month ahead, they will be looking to continue to work their way up the league, which is currently three points separating 16th from 7th.
Quick Quotes
Bonner on Burton: “They’re certainly getting into good form now, it’s taken them a bit of time… They’ve got direct threats in the team and you can be easily outplayed if you’re not at that level. They have a real balance in their game, we always know how difficult the game is against them.”
Bonner on the first ten games: “I think the progress we’ve made is actually quite huge and with a group of new staff and a whole new squad, I think we’re in a good position ten games into the season. We would certainly look at it not only in terms of points scored, but also in terms of the level of performance and progress made.”
Bonner on progress: “In 46 games we need to achieve enough results. We had four (wins) out of ten, which is a brilliant result for us. Do this over the course of a season and you’ll get 16, 17 or maybe 18 wins and finish in the top half. Tell me who wouldn’t accept this right now.”
Team news
The boss remains hopeful that wide duo Sallai Kaikai and Saiko Janneh will be available for selection following their recent return to full training. Hamstring injuries to Brandon Haunstrup and Elias Kachunga sidelined them for three weeks and six to eight weeks, respectively.
Simultaneously
Burton Albion wins: 6
Cambridge United wins: 7
Draws: 5
Down memory lane
Memories of our last meeting at the Pirelli are still fresh after the penultimate game of last season ended in what seemed at the time a fatal 1-0 defeat.
Despite a spirited start, the U’s were defeated within half an hour thanks to a solo strike from Mark Helm. Despite numerous near-death chances, they were unable to convert the equalizer to close the gap after the fall and their 22nd place remained until the final day. The rest, as they say, is history.
Dejected but remaining optimistic, Bonner said: “We wanted to be in a great position on Sunday (Forest Green Rovers) – we’re not in that position now, but it’s not over yet… We need other things.” go our own way, but first we must do our job and win. “Basically, we need to come in, get the result and see where it takes us.”
The defeat ended a four-game unbeaten run against the Brewers that had included several high-scoring thrillers over the years, including in the reverse fixture when Sam Smith’s hat-trick helped secure a 4–3 win over ten men behind Ghassan Ahadme. twice helped to take the lead. A total of 30 goals have been scored in seven meetings between the sides since United’s return to the Football League.
Officials
Judge: Benjamin Speedy
Assistant referee: Joe Simpson
Assistant referee: Daniel Robinson
Fourth judge: Peter Wright