Cambridge United host Charlton Athletic at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in what could be a vital match in the home side's bid to avoid relegation.
The U's are 23rd in the table, currently sitting five points from safety, while the visitors are firmly rooted in mid-table, occupying 12th place.
Match preview
© Reuters
Cambridge have a lot of work to do if they want to avoid returning to League Two for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign, given that they are some way off 21st-placed Accrington Stanley, having also played one extra game.
The main problem for the U's this season has been their lack of a goal threat, scoring just 27 times in League One, the fewest of any side in the division, while they also pose the fourth-worst defensive record.
Despite their difficult season, the Cambridge board have kept the faith with manager Mark Bonner, but there have been very few signs of improvement in recent weeks, winning just one of their last 14 games.
One potential advantage for the U's on Saturday is that they are playing at home, where they have picked up the vast majority of their points this season, while their away record is the worst in the third tier.
Last time out, Bonner's side once again came unstuck away from home, this time in a 1-0 defeat against MK Dons, the side that had picked up the fewest points at home of any League One side prior to the match, in yet another disappointing performance.
© Reuters
Inconsistency has plagued Charlton this season, meaning they are in no position to mount a late playoff push, currently sitting 18 points adrift of the top six.
The Addicks have managed to impress at times, recording victories against the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup, and fourth-placed Barnsley in the league, but they have not managed to perform at that level regularly enough.
Form has been particularly disappointing for Dean Holden's side in recent weeks, winning just one of their last six matches, although it must be noted they have had some tough games, taking on promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
Charlton have failed to win at home in their last four matches, but they have looked decent on their travels, defeating Morecambe 4-1 in their last match, with Corey Blackett-Taylor helping himself to a brace.
In their last three matches against Saturday's opponents, the Addicks have won twice and drawn once, most recently playing out a 1-1 draw at the Valley after Scott Fraser's opener was cancelled out by Harvey Knibbs.
Team News
© Reuters
Adam May will continue to miss out for Cambridge, having suffered an ACL injury way back in October, with Conor McGrandles and Paul Digby expected to keep their places in the engine room.
Despite being the U's' joint-top scorer in League One, Joe Ironside was benched for the recent trip to MK Dons, but he could return to the first-team picture, replacing Shilow Tracey, who failed to have any major impact on the game.
Charlton have a couple of absentees of their own, with forward Chuks Aneke set to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring injury, so Miles Leaburn is set to get the nod in attack.
Todd Kane has featured just once for the Addicks since arriving from Coventry City in the January transfer window, and the full-back will miss out again with a hamstring injury, with Sean Clare and Thomas Terell likely to start in his absence.
Given the quality of Charlton's performance last time out, Holden may well stick with the same starting XI, and Blackett-Taylor is almost certain to start on the left wing.
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Jones, R. Bennett, Morrison; L. Bennett, McGrandles, Digby, Brophy, Lankester; Ironside, Smith
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Inniss, Hector, Terell; Fraser, Dobson, Morgan; Campbell, Leaburn, Blackett-Taylor
We say: Cambridge United 0-1 Charlton Athletic
Neither side has been particularly impressive in recent weeks, but we expect Charlton to do just enough to secure the three points, plunging Cambridge into real danger of being relegated.
The Addicks managed to record a narrow 1-0 away victory against struggling Forest Green Rovers last month, and it would not be a surprise to see a similar scoreline on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
