United are at home to newly-promoted Lewes FC this evening (7.45pm), looking to make the most of back-to-back home games to move back up the table. The U's are currently sixth, four points behind leaders Crawley, and aiming to close the gap again this week.
Lewes are currently second from bottom on eight points, but they are unbeaten in their last three games and could prove stubborn customers.
Our online betting partners bet365 make United odds-on favourites at 4/11 to win, with Lewes at 13/2 and the draw at 10/3, and there is plenty of value in the other match bets and 'Match Specials'. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
With Anthony Tonkin and Chris Holroyd fit for selection following treatment on knocks from Saturday's goalless draw at York, Gary Brabin has the same squad to select from.
Mark Beesley has a further two days' training under his belt after recovering from a knee injury and Brabin must decide whether to recall the influential and creative striker, and also whether to retain the 4-3-3 formation or revert to 4-4-2.
"The formation is sometimes dictated by the personnel you have available," Brabin told cambridgeunited.com "You don't want the younger players playing too many games and with Felino and Robbie only being young lads I think it's unfair to thrust them in for two games a week.
"And then you've got other players who suit other systems and arguably our best performance of the season was using the 4-3-3 against Wrexham so we can adapt to both systems. Depending on the opposition and who we've got fit or not, it can dictate the system."
Refusing to be drawn on his system and team for tonight, he added, "Mark Beesley is definitely in contention but they're all vying for the shirts, which means it's good healthy competition."
United aim to take full advantage of this week's two home games to try to close the four point gap on leaders Crawley, and Brabin knows the crowd will be hoping for the same thing.
"You look to win all your games, but when you're at home the expectancy is higher to win the games. We know we're not far off putting a little run together; the lads are working hard, people are coming back to fitness, and we're just waiting for things to click into gear and to go on a bit of a winning streak."
With goals being hard to come by this season, Brabin hopes the return to fitness of some players, and the increasing fitness of some of the squad's recent arrivals, will address that problem.
"Injuries have played a part and I think a lot of people don't realise how hard it is to go straight into a first team game," he said.
"Some of the players haven't been playing and haven't done a pre-season. Danny Crow, Danny Brown, Phil Bolland, Mark Convery, all these players are playing catch up a little bit and it makes it harder. But they're getting fitter and stronger with every game and I know when we click we can go on a bit of a run when it matter most."
The Opposition
Blue Square South champions last season, Lewes are currently second from bottom, but they are unbeaten in their last three games and the U's manager has warned his men not to take anything for granted.
"They're new to the division and it took a bit of time for them to find their feet, but they're undefeated in their last three games and they're experienced and well-organised," he cautioned.
"They've got some good players - we were looking at their teamsheet and you can't believe they're down there - so they're not going to come here and roll over, and we're going to have to work hard if we want to get a win."
With United having kept clean sheets in both of the last two games, we have taken four points from six despite only scoring once, and Brabin hopes to strike the happy medium by maintaining that mean defensive record while adding more potency up front.
"Clean sheets do help morale and it's a part of our game that we really do work hard on, and we haven't done too bad on that front," he commented.
"But it would be perfect to keep those clean sheets and score more goals as well. Every manager wants that but we're well capable of doing it."
More Information
You can learn more about the Rooks 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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