Cambridge United visit play-off chasing Stevenage Borough this evening, seeking a quick return to form after Saturday's disappointing home defeat by Forest Green ended a twelve-game unbeaten run.
That 1-0 defeat, and Torquay's win last night at leaders Burton, leaves the U's third in the table with 76 points from 41 games. Stevenage also saw their unbeaten run ended at the weekend when they lost 4-2 at Kidderminster, although their run extended to an impressive 24 games in all competitions. They are currently sixth with 68 points from 40 games.
For the first time in several games we are not ranked as favourites to win tonight. We're rated a 2/1 chance for the win while Stevenage are 11/8 favourites with our online betting partners bet365, and the draw is 23/10. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
Dan Gleeson trained on Monday after missing the last two games with a thigh problem and he could be ready to return at right back, but Phil Bolland limped off on Saturday and is receiving daily treatment for a hamstring problem that could rule him out for the next two weeks.
Josh Coulson and loanee Simon Ainge stand by for the call to partner Wayne Hatswell in the centre of defence, but Gary Brabin hinted that he make other changes to a team that he thought looked tired against Forest Green.
"The lads looked a bit tired and we didn't reach our usual standards," he told cambridgeunited.com.
"It wasn't from lack of effort; the lads gave everything they could, but it was a hot day and there's a lot of pressure on them now to keep that winning mentality and catch Burton, and I thought the whole occasion sapped us of a bit of our energy.
"But the good thing is we've got some good players on the fringe at the moment who are chomping at the bit to play.
"A few of the lads who have been playing week in, week out for us are struggling with knocks that some of them have been carrying for months," he added, "and in some cases people have been having injections to get through games, which is full credit to them because they want to play so much.
"So it's good that we've got lads on the fringe of things and waiting in the wings to come in and play and stake a claim for a place. We'll see how everyone is today and make a decision."
Some of the players pressing for a recall are striker Danny Crow, who was a lively second half substitute on Saturday, and midfielder Daryl McMahon who also made a lively late appearance against Forest Green and would relish the opportunity to get one over on his former team-mates.
The Opposition
Stevenage, who saw their 24-game unbeaten run ended at the weekend when they lost 4-2 at Kidderminster, are in sixth, four points outside the play-off places with a game in hand on the U's and Torquay, and just as eager to claim all three points as Brabin's men.
The U's boss commented, "Stevenage have been on an unbelievable run of late, and it shows how strong the competition is in this league that they got beaten on Saturday and all of a sudden they're outside the play-off places.
"This is a big game and there will be a real derby feel to it. We'll take well over a thousand supporters so there will be a fantastic atmosphere, and I'm sure if we apply ourselves the way we can I'm confident we can get the three points."
Among the Stevenage players will be two former United players, defender Mark Albrighton and striker Lee Boylan, although midfielder David Bridges - who won the decisive late penalty in the home game to snatch a draw - is injured.
After today, United are in Easter action over the weekend with Eastbourne our visitors on Saturday followed by Monday's trip to Kettering.
"We've got some great games coming up in our last five games of the season," noted Brabin. "They're tough games and there's a long way to go, so we need everyone to be patient and stay behind us."
Further Information
Read more about Stevenage Borough in Matt Gooding's 'The Other Side' article here, directions and away travel 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 place where your online betting makes money for the U's.
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