United are at home to Grays Athletic on Sunday afternoon (3pm), in a fixture moved back by one day due to Grays' involvement in a televised match against Stevenage on Thursday night.
Like the U's, who lost at Oxford in Tuesday's televised game, Grays will be looking to bounce back immediately from a disappointing defeat to Stevenage.
Our online betting partners bet365 make United odds-on favourites to win at 4/6, with Grays at 15/4 and the draw at 5/2, but there is plenty of value in the other match bet and 'Match Specials'. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
With striker Mark Beesley still ruled out for up to two weeks with a twisted knee, Gary Brabin hopes left-back Anthony Tonkin will be fit to return after missing out on Tuesday due to gastroenteritis. Lee McEvilly, who struggled through a similar illness last weekend, and Chris Holroyd, who was on the bench on Tuesday due to a slight hamstring problem, have both trained and are available for selection.
Danny Crow made his debut at Oxford on Tuesday, and despite missing a gilt-edged chance to equalise just before half-time will be hoping to retain his place up front, as Brabin weighs up the merits of sticking with a 4-4-2 formation with Felino Jardim his only fit natural winger, or reverting to the 4-3-3 that swept Wrexham aside three weeks ago.
"Anthony Tonkin and Chris Holroyd will be pushing for places," Brabin confirmed.
"We have good quality players here, a lot better than what we've shown in the last few games, and we're looking forward to Sunday and the chance to put things right."
Jon Challinor will have a check on a stiff neck from Tuesday's match, while still unavailable are Mark Beesley and long-term injury victims Courtney Pitt and Andy Parkinson.
The Opposition
Grays are currently third-from-bottom in 22nd with ten points, and like United will be hoping to bounce back from a mid-week defeat, although Rob Gier (hamstring), Fabian Wilnis (groin) and Stuart Elliott (leg) are reportedly struggling to be fit.
Warning that Grays must not be underestimated, Brabin commented, "They dominated their game on Thursday but ended up losing it, and that's what we're getting in this league. You can't take any notice of a club's position in the league because everyone is capable of beating everyone and the bottom clubs have been beating the top sides.
"We've just got to prepare ourselves right and go about our business the way we know best.
"Grays will be disappointed with their start to the season but, as I keep saying, they are all tough games in this league," he added. "Especially at the moment, when we seem to be playing clubs who are under pressure for various reasons and they raise their game against us, and we've got to be prepared for that every time."
More Information
You can learn more about Grays in Matt Gooding's 'The Other Side' article 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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