National League side Woking are set to host Cambridge United at The Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the two clash in the first round of the 2024-25 FA Cup.
The hosts narrowly secured their place in this round with a 2-1 win against Slough Town in the fourth qualifying round, while the visitors were automatically qualified for this stage.
Match preview
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Woking have been competing in the National League since securing promotion from the National League South through the playoffs in the 2018-19 season, where they finished second, however, they have experienced a highly inconsistent spell in the fifth tier.
They placed 10th in their first year in the National League, followed by 20th in 2020-21, 15th in 2021-22, fourth in 2022-23 and, most recently, 17th in 2023-24.
Michael Paul Doyle, who has been in charge since December 2023, has endured a difficult opening to the 2024-25 campaign, with Woking currently sitting 18th in the table with 17 points from 16 games, with four wins, five draws and seven defeats.
Their most recent victory came in this competition, where they came from behind to defeat Slough Town 2-1 in the fourth qualifying round, but they have since suffered two losses and recorded one draw.
That disappointing form, combined with the fact that Cambridge plays multiple levels higher, means that the hosts are coming into this game as the major underdogs.
The U's sealed their return to League One for the first time since the 2001-02 season in 2020-21 as they placed second in League Two, but they have faced difficulties in the following years.
Cambridge recorded their best finish in League One in their first campaign, placing 14th in 2021-22, followed by falling to 20th in 2022-23 and 18th in 2023-24.
Garry Monk, who has been in charge since March 2024, has endured a mixed opening to this season, with Cambridge failing to win any of their opening 12 matches across all competitions, but they have subsequently won three successive games heading into this one.
Team News
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The hosts recorded an encouraging 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers in their last outing, meaning Doyle could opt to name a similar starting team for this one.
Charley Kendall started from the bench in that game, but Woking's top scorer in the league is likely to play from the beginning ahead of Harry Beautyman here.
Shayne Lavery has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in a defeat to Mansfield Town in September, and the striker is not expected to return for a number of weeks.
Elsewhere, Monk will be aiming to extend Cambridge's recent winning run on Saturday, meaning he could name a similar side to the one that started against Burton Albion here.
Woking possible starting lineup:
Jaaskelainen; Kelly-Evans, Dyche, Harries, Chicksen; Moss, Akinola, Andrews, Lewis; Beautyman; Kendall
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Reyes; Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Bennett, Digby, Smith, Brophy; Kachunga, N'Lundulu, Njoku
We say: Woking 0-3 Cambridge United
With Woking struggling at the beginning of this campaign, while Cambridge have looked significantly improved in recent outings, we believe the visitors will comfortably win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
