Cambridge United play their final Saturday home game of the season on Saturday, when newly-relegated Stafford Rangers are the visitors.
We're odds on again this weekend at 2/9 to grab three points towards a play-off place, with Stafford at 14/1 for the win and the draw at 4/1. But if you don't fancy those odds or our chances, there's a host of other betting opportunities on offer, including First Goalscorer. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
Captain Danny Brown had to be substituted in the second half of Tuesday's win at Rushden & Diamonds after making an important challenge and he is ruled out of tomorrow's game by the resulting shoulder injury, but defenders Dan Gleeson, Josh Coulson and Mark Peters are all available again.
"It's not worth taking a risk with Danny because his shoulder popped out and in again and he could be out for quite a while if he does any more damage," confirmed Jimmy Quinn. "He might even need an operation on it in the summer.
"But apart from Danny just about everyone is available and the likes of Dan Gleeson, Josh and Mark are all back and available for selection."
Midfielder Paul Carden was also substituted after needing stitches at half-time in a head wound but he trained today and will also be available.
With Brown unavailable after playing at left back in recent games, and Gleeson fit to resume in his accustomed right wingback role, the manager is expected to send the team out in the familiar 3-5-2 formation after playing with a back four while Gleeson was injured.
"With Dan back and Danny Brown out we'll change the system and play with three at the back and rotate the wingbacks so it can still be a four, which is a system the lads are used to," Quinn told cambridgeunited.com
"Up front I see no reason the change much. Lee Boylan and Mark Beesley have been playing well and they deserve to stay in the team, and they're building up a bit of an understanding together too, which is good."
Long-time absentees Dan Chillingworth (ankle), Darren Quinton (knee) and Michael Hyem (knee) are still ruled out, and striker Lee McEvilly (ankle) did some straight-line running this morning after returning from four days of intensive treatment and rehabilitation at Lilleshall.
"He's still a way off and we'll have to monitor him from day to day to see how he progresses now," Quinn commented.
"Next week he'll probably build up his work and we'll take it from there but it's a hard one to predict because we can't rush things."
The Opposition
Stafford are bottom on 19 points and their relegation to the Blue Square North was confirmed on Tuesday by their 4-0 defeat at home to York City. Steve Bull's side have lost their last seven games and only gained one point from the last ten games, with their last win coming at Forest Green Rovers on 16th February.
Nonetheless, Jimmy Quinn will not tolerate any hint of complacency from his players in tomorrow's game: "There are no easy games and you've got to earn the right to win games of football.
"I've told our lads today it's about how professional we are tomorrow in doing the right things and playing good, attractive, attacking, basic football and not trying to over-elaborate on things. If we do get a goal I want to see us drive home that advantage; if you take your foot off the gas it's hard to get it back so tomorrow will be all about doing the right things.
"Tomorrow isn't just about playing Stafford, it's about taking good habits into these next few games so we're going - hopefully - into the play-offs with confidence. So it's a massive game for us and, yes, on paper we should win. Games aren't played and won on paper but I've told the players I expect us to win.
"Whoever we're playing tomorrow, they've been relegated and we have to drive home our advantage. We have a good home record and we're coming off the back of a couple of really good away wins, so let's take the game to them."
Quinn believes Stafford's manager, the former Wolves and England striker Steve Bull, will have learned a lot in his first managerial role: "Steve was a good player and I played against him many times when he was at Wolves - and I scored a few goals against Wolves for different clubs in my day - but I think he will have had his eyes opened.
"You go into management with good ideas and you think you can motivate people and get results, but it's not easy. The pattern of this season dictated that Stafford, being part-time and with a small squad and injuries and everything else, would struggle a bit so it's a tough one but it's good experience for him.
"It's his first job in management and I'm sure he'll learn the ropes rather quickly. You've got to, it's either sink or swim, and you have to get hold of the job and do your best."
Quinn concluded, "Unfortunately for Steve, Stafford have lost their last seven games so it's our job to make it eight tomorrow."
More Information
Learn more about Stafford later today in Alix Dorrington's "The Other Side" preview, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this week please follow this link to visit our official betting partners bet365 - the only place where your online betting makes money for the U's.
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