Preview: Colchester United vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

Colchester United and Accrington Stanley meet in League Two on Saturday bidding to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

At a time when Colchester sit in 16th position in the table, the visitors are in 20th spot, five points adrift with a game in hand.

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Match preview

For the first time in 12 matches, Colchester are contemplating how to respond to a defeat having lost out at Swindon Town on New Year's Day.

At 2-1 up with 10 minutes remaining, Danny Cowley's side were in the box seat, but Swindon's revival under Ian Holloway would continue as they dramatically turned the game around.

Swindon's comeback was completely unforeseen. Colchester had previously conceded three goals in nine league games before shipping twice from the 82nd minute onwards and three in a league match for the first time since September 28.

The defeat has left Cowley to start looking below Colchester rather than above them. At a time when they sit 10 points adrift of the playoffs, they are now just seven above the relegation zone.

Colchester head into this fixture with the second-best defensive record in home fixtures, shipping just eight times in 12 matches.

In sharp contrast, Accrington make the long trip down South having ended a prolonged streak with success by recording a rare win.

Accrington had gone seven league games without a victory, accumulating just three points, before they came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Grimsby Town.

Most impressively, John Doolan's team twice came from behind to record their first triumph at the Wham Stadium since October 19.

Their aim now is to find something different on their travels; just eight points have been accumulated from 11 games with 24 goals being conceded in the process.

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Team News

Colchester will be forced into at least one change with Ellis Iandolo serving a one-match suspension for his dismissal versus Swindon.

Fiacre Kelleher could be drafted into the backline in what may prove to be a defensive reshuffle, with Tom Flanagan or Mandela Egbo potentially moving to left-back.

The rest of the team may remain the same with Colchester having been leading at Swindon before any substitutions were made.

Meanwhile, Josh Woods and Nelson Khumbeni are both pushing for recalls for Accrington having played their part in their comeback against Grimsby.

Dan Martin and Tyler Walton are the duo that may potentially drop out of the starting lineup.

Colchester United possible starting lineup: Macey; Egbo, Donnelly, Kelleher, Flanagan; McDonnell, Bishop; Anderson, Payne, Gordon; Hopper

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup: Crellin; Aljofree, Rawson, Awe; Love, Coyle, Khumbeni, Woods; Whalley; Woods, Hunter

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We say: Colchester United 2-1 Accrington Stanley

With both clubs having earned important wins over the Christmas and New Year period, this could prove to be a competitive fixture. However, although Accrington are on a high after their win over Grimsby, Colchester could edge this contest by the odd goal in three with a late goal.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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