The stakes are high for Saturday afternoon’s clash at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as Cambridge United vie to take a big step towards League One safety, whilst visitors Derby County aim to clinch promotion back to the second tier…
How to Watch
Saturday afternoon’s penultimate home encounter - which gets underway at 3pm - is expected to be battled out in front of a sold-out CB5, with tickets selling rapidly.
The Buzz Catering Main Stand, Newmarket Road End, Intelligent Membranes North Habbin and Mead Plant & Grab South Stand are all at full capacity, with just a few hundred left for sale in the South Habbin. Tickets can be purchased online at cufctickets.com or over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1).
Opposition Focus
After beginning life in 1884, the Rams famously became one of the 12 founding members of the Football League four years later. The 1946 FA Cup winners became the pinnacle of England when they secured the Division One title in 1972 and 1975 in what was undoubtedly the glory years. In the last two decades, Derby have spent the solitary campaign in the Premier League. It was memorable, but for all the wrong reasons nonetheless, as they registered 36 matches without a win – breaking the unwanted U’s record of 31. 14 campaigns in the Championship followed, which concluded in the side bowing out after real adversity in 2022. Whilst they were down, they were certainly not out, as they clawed a ranking of 7th last season. Undoubtedly, the task was to go one better and, 44 games in, they’re edging closer to euphoria.
They’ve done just that thanks to a blend of experience, young talent and the know-how of manager Paul Warne – the specialist is eyeing up a fourth promotion from this level. Deploying a 3-4-1-2, Joe Wildsmith is the mainstay in goal and has attained 18 clean sheets, and that’s no surprise with the calibre of Curtis Nelson, Sonny Bradley and the hugely talented Eiran Cashin ahead of him. Wide options Kane Wilson and Academy graduate Louie Sibley bomb up and down the wings and have Korey Smith and Gambian international Ebou Adams protecting them in the middle of the park, pulling the strings with their dictator approach. An array of talent in the final third means there’s a battle for starts between the unplayable Conor Hourihane, Tom Barkhuizen and Martyn Waghorn, with a settled striking pair of assist king Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and 33-year-old James Collins.
A consistently sound and well-churned engine, County registered three wins and three defeats from their opening six, but would then embark on a five-match unbeaten run to soar up the table. Their season really kicked into gear from Halloween, as they enjoyed a streak of eight victories from nine heading into 2024. A last-gasp defeat against Peterborough United to start the year did was only the smallest of blips, they would go on to lose one of their next nine to rubberstamp credentials. Most recently, back-to-back losses to Barnsley and Charlton Athletic – the only time that’s happened this season – was shadowed by four wins on the bounce, with the side now currently enjoying another run of four without tasting defeat. Situated in 2nd, the advantage from fellow chasers Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough is healthy – four points will secure a quick return to the Championship, but with some favours elsewhere, less may be needed. The feel-good factor around the Rams is on the brink of reaching a new high.
Form Guide
Cambridge United: WWLDL
Derby County: LWDDW
United’s Approach
Cambridge were dealt with a bitter pill to swallow on Tuesday night as Bristol Rovers gained a 1-0 triumph late in the evening at the Memorial Stadium.
The visitors saw their opportunities largely limited throughout, but the other end looked to have done enough to claim a point apiece – helped by stopper Will Mannion who kept out a first-half penalty – but experienced head Chris Martin didn’t shy away from a confident close-range finish three minutes from time to keep the points in Bristol.
Assessing the performance, Garry Monk stated: “What you need is one of them to go in, but unfortunately tonight – a bit like Blackpool in the second half – it wouldn’t quite go in for us. We’ve hit the post, clearances off the line for them and unfortunately the one opportunity they get it goes in and that’s football sometimes.
“We feel a bit aggrieved with the result, but it is what it is. We have to continue, which we will do. You can see the endeavour so I can’t ask for much more from the players.”
The wait for safety goes on for the U’s, with three games to go before the curtains close on the campaign. Despite picking up the solitary point from a possible nine, the Easter schedule has proven to be detrimental. Maintaining a five-point lead from the relegation zone with a game in hand over many, there are many permutations heading into Saturday, but Monk’s men will be firmly focused on not just settling for safety, but returning to winning ways and concluding with momentum.
Head-to-Head
Cambridge United Wins: 3
Derby County Wins: 11
Draws: 6
Down Memory Lane
The U’s picked up what could still prove to be a precious point in the reverse fixture as they battled valiantly to secure a creditable 0-0 draw against the Rams at a vibrant Pride Park Stadium in September.
Throughout the 90 minutes, United needed to soak up, and see off, waves of pressure, but they did just that thanks to some gritty and resilient defending which handed them a share of the spoils and their fifth clean sheet of the campaign – at the time, nobody else in the division could boast more.
Stretching back to 1980, there have been 20 meetings between the outfits, with Derby gaining maximum points on more than 50% of occasions. That’s helped by a menacing record – the U’s are currently winless in eight, scoring just once in that time, with their last victory falling in September 1989. With so much on offer this weekend, the latest instalment is poised to be remembered for some time by the faithful of whoever proves victorious.
Officials
Referee: Paul Howard
Assistant Referee: Kevin Howick
Assistant Referee: Ryan Williams
Fourth Official: Damith Bandara
