Preview: Cambridge United vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups

Cambridge United will welcome Gillingham to the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday, with the hosts looking to add to the 12 points they have collected this season, which sees them occupy 12th position.

Their opponents have four points fewer and as a result, they sit in 19th place and are only one point above the relegation zone.

Match preview

© Reuters

Cambridge have fared well in League One after winning promotion from League Two last season as they have only lost twice this term.

They were winless after their first three games of the campaign, but two home wins followed before they lost 5-1 at home to Lincoln City.

That disappointing defeat did not derail The U's as they bounced back with a 2-1 away win over Portsmouth and at the weekend they drew 2-2 with Fleetwood Town.

Mark Bonner's side initially went behind in that encounter with James Hill scoring the opener, but goals from Adam May and Shilow Tracey gave Cambridge a 2-1 lead before Paddy Lane equalised to ensure the spoils were shared.

The U's will be searching for their third home win in the league this season and they have been a formidable force at the Abbey Stadium, only losing on one occasion at home this term.

Gillingham had a solid start to the season, only losing one of their first four league games, but since then their form has dipped.

They collected their sole League One victory of the season on August 28 when they beat Morecambe, however The Gills are now winless in their last five league matches.

Steve Evans's side have lost twice and drawn three times in their last five League One fixtures and the most recent of those draws came at the weekend.

Gillingham drew 1-1 away to Oxford on Saturday, going behind after Matty Taylor scored the opener but then equalising through Alex MacDonald to ensure the game ended all square.

Gillingham have managed to pick up three draws away from home in the league this term, although they are still searching for their first League One away win of the season and will be desperate to achieve that on Tuesday.

Team News

Wes Hoolahan is nearing a recovery for Cambridge, but he may not be fit enough to feature on Tuesday.

Jubril Okedina impressed against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in the EFL Trophy last Tuesday and kept his place at the weekend, so the 20-year-old is likely to start against Gillingham.

With no changes expected, Bonner is likely to name the same side that played at the weekend.

Danny Lloyd returned to the starting lineup for Gillingham at the weekend and is likely to keep his place on Tuesday.

Evans could bring Charlie Kelman back into the lineup with Gerald Sithole dropping to the bench to ensure his squad remains fresh in a busy period.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Masterson, Iredale; Tracey, O'Neil, May, Digby, Brophy; Ironside

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Bennett, Ehmer, Tucker, McKenzie; MacDonald, Dempsey, Lee; Kelman, Lloyd, Oliver

We say: Cambridge United 2-1 Gillingham

Cambridge have adapted well to League One and they will aim to win their third home league game of the season on Tuesday. Against a Gillingham side who are out of form, we think that The U's will manage to get the three points.