Cambridge United will be looking to respond to back-to-back defeats when they welcome early-season strugglers Shrewsbury Town to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday afternoon in League One.
The U's were unable to get any points during their trip to Burton Albion in front of the TV cameras on Monday, whereas Shrewsbury broke an unwanted streak to earn their first success in seven matches last weekend.
Match preview
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Cambridge United's winless run in League One extended to five matches on Monday night, when the U's made the relatively short trip to the East Midlands to face Burton at the Pirelli Stadium, where two first-half goals condemned the visitors to their fifth league defeat of the term.
Mark Bonner's men were unable to handle the intensity of the Brewers during the opening stages of the contest and found themselves two goals behind after 30 minutes due to strikes from Josh Walker and Deji Oshilaja for the hosts, but Fejiri Okenabirhie did net a second-half consolation for Cambridge.
The Nigerian forward has been announced as the club's Player of the Month for September in the build-up to Saturday's home clash, with the 27-year-old netting five goals in 11 third-tier appearances so far in 2023-24 despite starting just twice, as Gassan Ahadme continues to be largely preferred in the central-striking role.
The U's currently sit 15th in the League One standings after collecting 14 points from their opening 11 contests, and cause for optimism on Saturday can be derived from the fact that Bonner's side have earned 10 of their points at the Abbey Stadium, with their last two maximums coming in front of their home faithful.
Cambridge are attempting to become part of the furniture in League One following over a decade in the fourth and fifth tiers of English football, and someone who knows more than most about consistency is United left-back Harrison Dunk, who has spent 12 years and three months at the club, making him the longest-serving player in the division.
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Shrewsbury Town had not made the net ripple in over 750 minutes before last weekend's dramatic winner against Northampton Town at The Croud Meadow, with Saturday's visitors earning their first maximum in League One since a narrow 1-0 success away at Fleetwood Town on August 26.
The Shrews were fortunate to still be level in the contest after Cobblers winger Sam Hoskins smashed a penalty against the crossbar earlier in the second period, and in the 91st minute Daniel Udoh - always the man for the big occasion - slotted calmly past Lee Burge to give Town their fourth win of the league campaign.
Matt Taylor's men moved up to 19th in the third-tier standings after that dramatic victory over Northampton, and although a collection of 13 points from 11 matches is not overly concerning, a tally of just five goals during that time is preventing Salop from competing for a top-half finish.
Town have struggled to create clear-cut chances so far this term, highlighted by the fact that Ryan Bowman is the only recognised forward option at the club who has made the net ripple in League One as the season approaches the middle of October, with Udoh, Cheyenne Dunkley and Tom Bayliss the only other players who have scored.
The visitors on the weekend will be hoping to secure back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since a brilliant spell spanning across January and February, when Shrewsbury won six games in a row to have supporters dreaming of an unlikely late-season push for the playoffs.
Team News
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Cambridge United welcomed Sullay Kaikai back to first-team action during the Monday night defeat at Burton, with the winger now fully recovered from his knock and ready to provide flair on the flanks for this weekend's hosts.
Saikou Janneh also returned to the matchday squad for the U's last time out and will be pushing for a starting berth on Saturday, although James Brophy is expected to retain his place in the XI.
Bonner's side will be without the services of former Bolton Wanderers man Elias Kachunga for between six and eight weeks because of a hamstring injury, leaving Okenabirhie and Ahadme to fight for a starting spot up front.
Victory came at a cost for Shrewsbury last time out as both Morgan Feeney and Taylor Perry were forced off with injuries during the triumph over Northampton, meaning Elliott Bennett and Jason Sraha could be drafted into the XI for this one.
Striker Max Mata is currently away on international duty with New Zealand, so either Bowman or 23-year-old Kieran Phillips will lead the line for the visitors at the Abbey Stadium.
Marko Marosi collected his first clean sheet since August last weekend after a disastrous night at Oxford United earlier in October, and the Slovakian is doing enough to keep former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Harry Burgoyne on the bench.
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Cousins, Brophy, Lankester, Kaikai; Okenabirhie
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Sraha, Dunkley, Flanagan; Winchester, Bennett, Sobowale, Bayliss, Fleming; Udoh, Bowman
We say: Cambridge United 1-0 Shrewsbury Town
Cambridge have struggled in recent weeks but showed signs of recovery in the second half at Burton last time out, and the U's will be hoping to record a much-needed win in front of their faithful at the Abbey.
Shrewsbury will be praying that their last-gasp victory over Northampton is a turning point in their season, however with a host of key players either away on international duty or injured, we are expecting the Shrews to struggle on Saturday afternoon,
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Top tip
Carter White
