Football VAVEL

Cambridge United vs Barrow preview: Team news, ones to watch, kick-off time and how to watch

Free-scoring Cambridge United take on a Barrow side who are struggling on the road. 

Cambridge United vs Barrow preview: Team news, ones to watch, kick-off time and how to watch
Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images
billymulley11
By Billy Mulley

Second-place Cambridge United take on League Two strugglers Barrow, who have only picked up three points away from thus far. The U's have scored 24 goals in 11 games this season, more than any other side in the top four divisions. 

It has been a slower start for Barrow this season, after gaining promotion to the division via a PPG system. However, they have picked up in recent weeks, losing only one of their last five games and picking up eight points in the process.

Team news

Cambridge are expected to be missing a number of key individuals for this fixture. Paul Digby and Liam O'Neil remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, whilst forwards Paul Mullin and Joe Ironside missed Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Shrewsbury.

The U's also have Wes Hoolahan, Luke Hannant and Jack Iredale as potential absentees, leaving Mark Bonner's squad rather thin. 

Cambridge's congested injury list, will come of good news to Barrow. But, the Bluebirds themselves will also be missing a number of players. Courtney Baker-Richardson, Tom Beadling, Lewis Hardcastle and James Jones will all miss Saturday's trip with pre-existing injuries.

David Dunn's squad is expected to be boosted though, with the return of Scott Quigley and Kgosi Nlthe.

Ones to watch

Despite not having the pair that have scored 17 out of the 24 goals that Cambridge have scored this season, the U's will not be worrying too much because of their squad depth this season. Hiram Boateng is another player who has impressed at the start of this season, with his pace and power proving to be too much for the opposition. 

He is a holding midfielder by trade and possesses the technical ability to play more advanced. 

From a Barrow perspective, it is left-midfielder Josh Kay who will look to cause mayhem down the left-hand side. The 24-year-old is always looking for the ball to push forward and create goal-scoring opportunities from the left flank and has the ability to hurt teams if he is given the opportunity to cut in. 

Previous meetings 

Barrow's recent record against the U's does not paint the prettiest of pictures, but will be something they will be motivated to address come Saturday.

Cambridge have won the last four meetings between the pair, winning 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium and 4-1 at Holker Street in the Conference Premier during the 2012/13 campaign. The Bluebirds were subsequently relegated that year, but things have certainly got brighter since then. 

Kick-off time and how to watch

The game kicks off at 3:00 BST on Saturday and will be available to purchase via the respective clubs' iFollow system.

Cambridge fans, click here:

Barrow fans, click here:

 

Embed from Getty Images