Cambridge United play second-placed Torquay United this evening in our final scheduled home match of the season, and matching the result of sixth-placed Stevenage Borough in their game against Northwich would secure the U's a place in the play-offs.
We're rated at 11/10 to grab vital three points, with the Gulls at 21/10 for the win and the draw at 9/4. But if you don't fancy those odds there's a host of other betting opportunities on offer, including First Goalscorer and Scorecast. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
Captain Danny Brown returned to the side for Saturday's 2-0 win at Salisbury after recovering from a shoulder injury and he has suffered no ill-effects, while Courtney Pitt, who was withdrawn during the second half on Saturday with a groin problem, trained on Monday and is expected to be fit for tonight's match.
However there will be at least one change to the side following Jack Jeffery's return to West Ham at the end of his loan, with Lee Boylan the man most likely to take his place alongside the in-form Mark Beesley.
Replacing Boylan on the bench could be Lee McEvilly who is available again following the ankle ligament injury he suffered at Woking five weeks ago. He has been back in training for a few days and although the big striker will not be rushed back into action, his presence will give the squad a boost and he could make an appearance during the second half.
"Lee trained with us yesterday and as long as there are no effects from that he'll be on the bench tonight," confirmed assistant manager Willy Wordsworth.
"Hopefully we'll be able to send him on at some point, depending on how the game goes, obviously. It's great to have him back involved," he added. "He's very popular with the players and the supporters and he's a very bubbly character around the place, so it will give everyone a lift."
Paul Carden sits out the second game of a two match automatic suspension but is expected to return to the starting line-up on Saturday at Northwich, while long-time absentees Dan Chillingworth (ankle), Darren Quinton (knee) and Michael Hyem (knee) are ruled out for the rest of the season.
Please Arrive Early
Supporters are reminded that the South Stand is open for home fans tonight and details can be found here.
All supporters are requested to enter the ground slightly earlier than usual this evening because a good crowd is anticipated and early arrival will help to avoid last-minute delays and congestion at the turnstiles. You will also be able to see the pre-match 'player of the year' presentations and give Richard Caborn a warm welcome back to the Abbey! [article]
The Opposition
Torquay's place in the play-offs is already confirmed and they just need one further point tonight or on Saturday to secure second place.
They were relegated into the Blue Square Premier at the end of last season but retained several of their key players and have given themselves a healthy chance of bouncing straight back into the Football League. Currently second on 86 points, six ahead of Cambridge United and 13 behind champions Aldershot, the Gulls welcome winger Tony Bedeau back to the squad after missing the last five games with a hamstring injury.
The last time we met at the Abbey was in September 2003, when the two sides drew 1-1 in front of 3,723 supporters in a Division Three match. Luke Guttridge opened the scoring in the tenth minute and Jo Kuffour equalised for the visitors before half-time [report].
In our meeting earlier this season, United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Lee Boylan and Rob Wolleaston, the latter scoring a stunning winner four minutes before the final whistle [report].
Torquay have won three of their last six games on the road and they will be looking to avoid a repeat of their defeat at Rushden & Diamonds last Thursday, when a much-changed team took the led through Elliot Benyon but were pegged back by goals from Michael Rankine and Jon Challinor.
"They've secured their play-off place already and we need to get used to playing teams like this again," said Wordsworth. "We seem to perform better against the better sides - no disrespect to the other teams - and hopefully we'll do that tonight.
"I know there will be a big crowd and they'll all be behind us, and it's just a matter of us doing our jobs and getting the right result and hoping the other results go the right way. But as long as we do our jobs tonight and win the game we'll be there."
More Information
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