Both teams are eager to break into the top three as Cambridge United and Swindon Town face off at The Cledara Abbey Stadium in a crucial League Two game on Thursday.
The U’s came up short last time, losing at Barnet, while the Robins had to settle for a draw against Fleetwood Town at home.
Match preview
Cambridge United finished nine points shy of safety in League One during the 2024-25 season and were rightly relegated. However, they’ve bounced back since then, pushing hard to return straight away to the third tier of English football.
That said, Cambridge head into Thursday’s match after a tough loss at Barnet where Neil Harris’s squad saw their nine-match unbeaten streak (five wins and four draws) end thanks to a lone goal from Danny Collinge for the Bees.
This was their first defeat since early February. Despite that, Cambridge currently sit fourth in League Two with one point less than Notts County who occupy an automatic promotion spot.
They’ve conceded just 29 goals in 39 games so far this season-the best defensive record in the league-and have racked up more points at home than any other team with 44 from their matches in 2025-26.
Up front, James Brophy leads their creative efforts with eight assists. The 31-year-old has created 18 clear chances across 38 appearances for his teammates.
© Imago / News Images
Pushing for a top-three finish alongside Cambridge, Swindon Town couldn’t make it three wins in a row last weekend after drawing with Fleetwood at the County Ground.
Still, they’ve lost only once in their last six League Two matches (two wins and three draws) as they aim to finally leave this division after five years. This week’s game against Cambridge is easily their biggest challenge among the last six fixtures they have left.
Ian Holloway’s men have been beaten just twice in their last eight games at this level. They’re sitting fifth now-two points behind fourth-place Cambridge and three off from breaking into the top three spots.
A good sign going into Thursday is that only MK Dons (who are moving up to League One) have earned more away points than Swindon-35 compared to MK’s 36-and they haven’t lost any of their last four away league matches (three wins and one draw).
Aaron Drinan remains one of Swindon’s most dangerous forwards but his recent scoring form has dipped; he’s managed just one goal over his past five games.
Cambridge United League Two form:
D D W D W L
Swindon Town League Two form:
D D L W W D
Team News
© Imago
Even though they lost last time out, Cambridge are likely to keep Kelland Watts, Mamadou Jobe and James Gibbons together as their center-back trio.
The U’s have scored only once across their previous three matches which suggests some changes upfront might be needed. Louis Appere could drop out along with possibly Brophy coming off the bench instead.
A former Blackpool standout, Shayne Lavery might get called up to start for promotion-chasing Cambridge on Thursday.
On Swindon’s side, Ollie Palmer was part of Wrexham’s promotion push last season and is a key attacker as they look toward securing a top-three spot here too.
Billy Kirkman might lose his starting spot on Thursday so Jake Batty can slot in at left-back instead for the visitors.
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Gibbons , Jobe , Watts ; Bennett , Ball , Mpanzu , Mayor ; Knight , Brophy , Lavery
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Ripley ; Wright , Knight-Lebel , Tafazolli , Batty ; Kilkenny , Oldaker ; Olakigbe , Palmer , Bodin ; Drinan
We say: Cambridge United 1-0 Swindon Town
Losing just once out of nineteen home games this season makes Cambridge tough to beat when playing at Abbey Stadium.
Swindon travel well but may find it tricky breaking down what is arguably the best defense around come Thursday.
For stats breakdown including likely scores or results please click here.
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