Cambridge United head to Barnet this Saturday afternoon aiming for a win that would boost their push for automatic promotion.
The visitors are sitting third in the League Two standings, while Barnet occupy 12th place but are only five points behind the playoff spots.
Match preview
After failing to win in three straight games, many thought Barnet’s hopes of making the playoffs were fading.
But their 3-1 win over second-placed MK Dons last weekend put them back in the mix with seven games still left to play.
Brennan might not be overly confident given they’ve won just three out of nine recently, yet Barnet could embrace their role as underdogs during this final stretch.
They’ll have four more home games at the Hive Stadium but need to improve on their current record of seven wins from 19 home matches.
Since losing 4-1 at Colchester on February 21, Barnet’s defense has tightened up, conceding only six goals across six matches.
© Imago
Still, they face a tough challenge against a Cambridge side unbeaten in nine games heading into North London.
With five wins and four draws over that run, Neil Harris’ team stays firmly in the top three and holds a two-point gap over fourth place with an extra game played.
The focus remains on chasing Bromley who lead by seven points. The main goal is to get back to League One no matter how it happens.
Defensively Cambridge are strong too – they’ve let in just 28 goals from 38 league matches, the best record across the division.
That said, they haven’t been as solid away from home where they’ve won just seven out of 19 games, conceded 16 goals and drawn recently at Accrington Stanley and Walsall.
Barnet League Two form:
W W L L D W
Cambridge United League Two form:
W D D W D W
Team News
© Imago / Pro Sports Images
If there aren’t any new injuries, Brennan will probably stick with the same starting eleven that impressed against MK Dons by scoring three goals before halftime.
Mark Shelton set up one of those goals which took him to seven goals and six assists this season – keeping him among the best central midfielders around here.
Kabongo Tshimanga has scored six times in 14 appearances but hasn’t found the net at home during his last four outings at the Hive Stadium.
Kylian Kouassi’s hamstring injury means he’s still sidelined while club captain Michael Morrison could make his first appearance since November for Cambridge if fit.
If Neil Harris tweaks things up front or midfield Korey Smith, Adam Mayor and Shane Lavery might get recalled.
Barnet possible starting lineup:
Slicker; Senior, Collinge, Tavares, Crichlow-Noble; Shelton, Ofoborh; Glover, Stead, Kanu; Tshimanga
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Gibbons , Jobe , Watts ; Bennett , Ball , Mpanzu , Brophy ; Knight , Kaikai ; Appere
Our Prediction: Barnet 1-2 Cambridge United
Barnet will feel confident after beating MK Dons and will try hard again against another promotion hopeful. But we reckon Cambridge’s long unbeaten streak gives them a slight edge here-though it should be tight right till near the end.
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