Preview: Cambridge United vs Cheltenham Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Dreaming of earning promotion at the first time of asking, Cambridge United are set to host Cheltenham Town at the Clear Abbey Stadium for their opening League Two clash on Saturday.

Both sides have endured a mixed pre-season but will be hoping to get off to a strong start this weekend.

Match preview

Neil Harris's Cambridge were relegated from League One in 2024-25 after a shocking season that started with former Swansea City boss Gary Monk at the helm.

The U's finished the campaign second-from-bottom, and the 38 points they accumulated over 46 matches only bettered Shrewsbury Town's dismal record.

Last Saturday, Harris's side rounded out their pre-season fixtures with a 1-1 draw against Championship club Charlton Athletic, meaning they won three, drew one and lost one of their five preparatory clashes.

Knowing that victory this weekend could provide a significant psychological boost, the hosts will be out to prove that their disastrous home record that features five defeats and two draws from their seven most recent competitive matches at Cledara Abbey Stadium is firmly in the past.

Three points on Saturday would lay down a marker for Cambridge and help them to settle into life in League Two.

Meanwhile, Michael Flynn's Cheltenham were relegated from the third tier in 2023-24, and failed to gain immediate promotion last term.

In 2024-25, the Robins ended the campaign 15th in the table, where their tally of 60 points left them 10 short of Chesterfield in the playoff spots.

This time around, Flynn's men will be hoping to use their disappointing experience to reaffirm their promotion push, though given that they alternated between winning and not during pre-season, it remains to be seen if they can find the necessary consistency to do so.

However, the manager will be pleased with his team's performances against Bristol City and Swansea in their last two outings, and they could take confidence from the fact that they avoided defeat against two Championship sides consecutively.

Additionally, Cheltenham play on the road on Saturday, and their travelling form that includes four wins and two losses from their last six away games suggests that they could find some joy on their trip to Cambridge.

Team News

Cambridge should be led out by captain Michael Morrison for the start of the new season, and the centre-back is likely to be partnered by Kell Watts once again at the heart of defence.

Further forward, Sullay Kaikai and James Brophy should be backing up striker Ryan Loft, just as they were against Charlton last weekend.

As for Cheltenham, midfielders Liam Kinsella and Luke Young will be battling for some stability in the centre of the park, while Harry Pell should be supporting striker George Miller up top.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Scot Bennett is likely to start alongside Robbie Cundy at centre-back, shielding Joe Day between the sticks.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Purrington; Ball, Hoddle; Brophy, Knight, Kaikai; Loft

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Day; Power, Bennett, Cundy, Anderson; Young, Kinsella; Broom, Pell, Archer; Miller