Cambridge United
After defeat last weekend Cambridge United managed to stop the slip midweek, after conceding against Yeovil a late Barry Corr goal gave Cambridge a share of the points and ended their four game losing streak. Newport County are visiting the Cambs Glass this week, the basement side of the league seems like a perfect opportunity for the U’s to get back to winning ways but you shouldn’t discount Newport based on league position alone.
If we take a look at the form table Cambridge are bottom over the last six games, with four defeats and two draws, perhaps most concerning about this is how the goals have dried up. Cambridge have only scored two in their last six games, and a once formidable attack is looking toothless currently. Barry Corr’s midweek goal will provide some hope however it would be unfair to expect too much too soon of the Irish striker, after a long time on the sidelines Cambridge shouldn’t be rushing him back, Derry has things right at the moment bringing him on off the bench. The two places Cambridge need to look for their lack of goals are top goal scorer Luke Berry and Uche Ikpeazu, these two haven’t been in the games as much of late, Derry changing the formation around perhaps didn’t help that, and maybe confidence has taken a hit.
Newport on the other hand have become somewhat masters of the draw, picking up five draws and a win in their last six games to put them 10th in the form chart. Scoring five in their last six means Cambridge should have enough strength defensively to perhaps get a clean sheet here, but this side is going to be difficult to break down. I think, after the return to the 4-5-1 in midweek, Derry should stick with what served him well so far. He has strengthened the side and should let them settle into the formation Cambridge found some success with, the experiment with a back three hasn’t really worked for me, minus the shock factor of it early doors in the first match, Cambridge have looked blunt with it. Once Corr is fully fit, then we try and see what to do with him and Uche but for now, lets work with what we’ve got and blend the new players into the team. It isn’t as easy as it looks on paper, but this surely is Cambridge’s chance for a big win to reboot their season.
After last week’s predictions, Lewis sits on 7 points, Jack on 2 and Matt sits on 1. What do the boys have to say this week?
Matt says: Draw experts Newport aren’t going to make life easy for Cambridge, if Cambridge can score early I think a big win is on the cards, however, this reporter isn’t so optimistic. A lack of confidence and a resolute Newport who are fighting for survival are going to be a very tough test. 0-0.
Jacks says: Cambridge welcome a struggling but resurgent Newport side, both sides desperate for a win. With Barry Corr scoring in the week at Yeovil I believe Cambridge will stop the rot on Saturday with a 2-0 victory.
Lewis says: This has to be a U’s win, surely? If it’s not, then put me firmly on the #DerryOut bandwagon. 3-0
Cambridge City
City have fallen back into the relegation zone, after a goalfest last week where they came out the wrong side of a 4-3 against Slough, they’ll be looking to return to winning ways. A trip to Redditch United presents itself as this weekends challenge. Redditch sit around midtable and have picked up double the wins City have, however their hugely negative goal difference ( second worst in the league and considerably worse than the Lilywhites) means that if City start well, there are goals to be had here. City are in the goals at the moment and I fancy them to out score Redditch this weekend. A big City win and hopefully enough to lift them back to safety.
Histon FC
Beaconsfield SYCOB travel to the Glassworlds this weekend, the Stutes lost last weekend 1-0 but they have been in fantastic form of late and that will hopefully only be a small hiccup for them. Beaconsfield SYCOB present an opportunity for Histon to return to winning ways, more assured at the back and with Histon certainly knowing where the goal is, this should be a great match for a big result potentially for Histon to pull off the impossible dream, coming into Christmas they looked dead and buried however, the resolve they’ve shown to put themselves in a position where there’s a chance to stay up is fantastic. Still 13 points off safety but in this form, that is very achievable. Back the Stutes to win this one.
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Published by Matthew Robinson
