Cambridge United play newly-promoted league leaders Barrow AFC at the Trade Recruitment Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Both clubs have started the season with two wins so one or both 100% records will be dented tomorrow, although the bookies make United odds on favourites at 8/13 to record a third straight win. The draw is 5/2 and the visitors are 4/1 to win with our official online betting partners Bet365, but if you don't fancy those odds there's a host of other betting opportunities, including First Goalscorer and Scorecast. Click here for all the match odds.

Team News

Andy Parkinson is likely to be missing for the rest of the season having had it confirmed this week that he has ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament while Courtney Pitt could be out for three months following Wednesday surgery on his knee.

But even without those two flying wingers, Gary Brabin has outstanding options in the squad and Felino Jardim and Robbie Willmott ran Kidderminster ragged down the wings on Tuesday. He has also added former Chester striker Chris Holroyd to the squad, completing the 21-year-old's transfer on Tuesday night after the match, while Swansea loanee Chris Jones can play on the wings as well as up front.

Explained how he persuaded Holroyd to sign for United in the face of interest from league clubs, Brabin revealed, "When we first asked about him he didn't know much about us and thought it would be stepping down, and he's got loads of ambition, which I like, and he'd had interest from first and second division clubs.

"He got frustrated at Chester, but he watched us at Northwich and he came here on Tuesday night and he was impressed with the way we do things and the atmosphere. He couldn't believe how many people were here and he's realised that this is a much bigger club and this is a step in the right direction for him; I think it is a step up.

"I don't promise anyone first team football but I know what he's capable of and the potential he's got, and I think he'll be a great signing. I want him to make it hard for me to leave him out of the side. I want competition for places and it's up to people to get into the side and grab the opportunity.

"I'm really happy with the squad of players I've got at the moment. There's healthy competition and a few of the lads are chomping at the bit to get in the side, but they understand that the lads who have started have performed well. They'll be waiting for their chance and the lads in the starting eleven will be aware that there are lads waiting in the wings to take their jerseys."

Supporters are reminded that the South Stand is open for home fans tomorrow and details can be found here.

The Opposition

Barrow opened their campaign a day early with their televised 3-0 home win against Oxford last Friday, and followed up on Tuesday with a 4-3 win over Altrincham to sit proudly atop the table. But their early success has not surprised Brabin, who was manager further down the north-west coastline at Southport at the end of last season.

"I watched Southport a few times last season and I know their management duo and a few of their players, and they're a good, honest bunch of players. They're in that momentum of winning games that they've carried on from last season, and they'll respect teams but they'll believe in themselves and they'll get right at you from the off.

"We'll take them seriously and give them respect, and if we play the way we're capable of I'm confident we'll do well on the day. We'll respect them because we're going into a top of the table clash and that's how we've got to treat them, and we'll be preparing for this game the way we normally prepare."

Barrow have scored seven goals in their first two games, while Brabin admitted he was "gutted' to see his side concede the late, soft goal on Tuesday night, so his aim is to shut the Cumbrian side out on Saturday.

"The lads know how many Barrow have scored so they'll be on their guard, but I'm very confident in my back four and my goalkeeper, and the two protecting them in front," he stated.

"Barrow work really hard for each other and if we can match that side of things I'm confident we can play the better football. We look a good solid unit and if we conduct ourselves the way I know we can then I'm very confident going into the game."

More Information

You can read Doug Shulman's introduction to Barrow AFC here, ticket information is here, 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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