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

Cambridge United play big to Reading connected New Year's Day looking for the triumph that is needed to bolster the endurance hopes successful League One.

At a clip erstwhile the location broadside beryllium successful 22nd presumption successful the table, Reading inhabit sixth spot arsenic they proceed their bid for the playoffs.

Match preview

© Imago

Aside from a three-match winning streak crossed 7 days successful October, Garry Monk's clip astatine Cambridge has been hugely disappointing.

Just 8 victories person been posted successful 40 matches and the erstwhile defender is presently connected a tally of guiding Cambridge to 1 triumph successful their past 10.

Since thrashing relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town, Cambridge person collected conscionable 1 constituent from a imaginable 12, losing their past 3 fixtures.

On Sunday, Leyton Orient posted a 2-0 triumph implicit Monk's squad arsenic they suffered their ninth decision successful 12 distant league encounters.

Now sitting 5 points adrift of safety, Cambridge request a effect if they are not to suffer interaction with 20th presumption and above.

© Imago

Meanwhile, Reading marque the travel to the Cledara Abbey Stadium with Noel Hunt having got successive wins connected the committee for the archetypal clip arsenic caput coach.

Having succeeded Ruben Selles successful the Royals hotseat, the erstwhile guardant is nether unit to support the nine connected a astonishment complaint for the playoffs.

Victories implicit Northampton Town and Mansfield Town - with six goals being scored successful the process - person ensured that Reading beryllium wrong the apical six by a point.

With Reading moving retired 3-0 winners successful the reverse fixture arsenic precocious arsenic December 3, determination volition beryllium each assurance that they tin extremity a three-match tally without occurrence connected their travels.

Cambridge United League One form:

Cambridge United signifier (all competitions):

Reading League One form:

Reading signifier (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

James Brophy is successful enactment to instrumentality to the Cambridge XI having replaced Sulley Kaikai successful the archetypal fractional versus Leyton Orient.

Ryan Loft and Brandon Njoku are besides pushing for opportunities successful the last 3rd with Dan Nlundulu apt to miss out.

Meanwhile, Hunt whitethorn similar to prime the aforesaid Reading XI from the triumph implicit Mansfield unless helium wishes to freshen up his side.

Chem Campbell is apt to support his spot connected the flank contempt failing to lend a extremity oregon assistance since December 1.

Andy Yiadom, Kelvin Abrefa and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan each stay connected the sidelines for the visitors.

Cambridge United imaginable starting lineup:
Stevens; Bennett, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Smith, Cousins; Brophy, Stokes, Kachunga; Njoku

We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Reading

With Reading inactive getting to grips with beingness nether Hunt, it remains to beryllium seen whether they tin enactment unneurotic a accordant tally of wins. However, fixed that Cambridge person precocious struggled for points, we tin lone backmost the Royals to conflict their mode to different important victory.

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