Looking to finish their season positively, already relegated Cambridge United welcome league champions Birmingham City to Abbey Stadium this Saturday afternoon in League One.
The U’s have dropped two games in a row heading into the clash with record-setting Blues, who will hit 111 points if they win this weekend.
Match preview
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After four solid years, Cambridge United’s run in League One ends sadly on Saturday at Abbey Stadium. The hosts can’t avoid finishing in the bottom four as this third-tier season wraps up.
Back-to-back losses against Leyton Orient and fellow strugglers Burton Albion sealed the U’s fate, with a late goal from 21-year-old Dylan Williams denying them a point at the Pirelli Stadium last weekend.
Having lost three of their last four league games, Cambridge sit 23rd in League One with only three points left to gain – a huge nine points behind Burton, who are safely placed 20th.
The U’s haven’t won at home for six straight matches before hosting these record-breaking champions. Neil Harris’s side last took three points at Abbey Stadium back in late February when Bristol City loanee Josh Stokes scored twice against third-placed Stockport County.
No surprise that Cambridge struggled during the reverse fixture earlier this season at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. They didn’t manage a single shot on target as Jay Stansfield and others helped Birmingham cruise to an easy 4-0 win.
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Since losing the EFL Trophy final to Peterborough United at Wembley, Birmingham have bounced back strongly in League One. They’re currently unbeaten over five games and have smashed several division and English records as they head towards promotion.
A pair of goals from right-back Ethan Laird and striker Alfie May secured a 2-0 win against Blackpool on Wednesday night. That victory pushed Birmingham past Reading’s old EFL points record by hitting 108 points – two more than Steve Coppell’s title-winning squad from 2005-2006.
Birmingham have lost just three league matches all season and lead second-place Wrexham by an incredible 19 points, while Stockport trail by 24. So Saturday’s visit to Abbey Stadium is more about celebration than competition for them.
Even though they’ve gone unbeaten all season long at home, Birmingham have been beaten on the road by Charlton Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, and most recently Bolton Wanderers – giving Cambridge just a little bit of hope heading into this match.
This will be one of their last trips to smaller stadiums like Abbey with under 8,000 seats. The club’s American owners reportedly plan big spending moves next transfer window that could see them compete financially with some smaller Premier League teams for players.
Cambridge United League One form:
Birmingham City League One form:
Birmingham City form (all competitions):
Team News
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Cambridge won’t have attacker Ryan Loft available after he got sent off during their loss at Burton last time out.
This leaves limited attacking options for the hosts; Elias Kachunga-the goal scorer against Burton-and Shayne Lavery are expected to start up front.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies is likely to make some changes following their Blackpool win, with Stansfield and Paik Seung-ho set for starting roles again.
Emil Hansson made it into the squad against Blackpool after recovering from injury and might get some game time this weekend too.
The Blues remain without Lyndon Dykes and Scott Wright due to ongoing injuries keeping both Scots sidelined for now.
Cambridge United possible starting lineup: Bishop; Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Gibbons; Digby, Stevenson, Lavery, Kachunga, Kaikai; Ballard
Birmingham City possible starting lineup: Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Hanley, Cochrane; Leonard, Paik; Dowell, Harris, Anderson; Stansfield
Our prediction: Cambridge United 0-3 Birmingham City
With their minds already on next year’s push in League Two after relegation confirmed earlier weeks ago, Cambridge are likely going down without much fight as record-breaking Birmingham come calling this weekend at Abbey Stadium. Blues should control most of the match here as they aim for victory number thirty-four in what has been an outstanding campaign so far.For detailed stats like predicted scores or outcomes you can checkhere.
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