Colchestervs.Stockport

The visitors are four points clear of second place and could seal the league title and automatic promotion within the next few matches, while the hosts are just one point from safety.

Match preview

Colchester's four-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 defeat to Wrexham, despite taking the lead through John Akinde in the 54th minute.

Wins have been hard to come by since Danny Cowley took charge as head coach at the beginning of January. The 45-year-old has won two, drawn nine and lost three of his 14 matches in charge.

The U's sit 23rd in the League Two table, but they are only one point behind 22nd-placed Sutton and have three games in hand on the team directly above them, leaving their fate very much in their own hands.

Colchester have drawn three of their last five matches, with their only win in this period coming against Newport County before their most recent defeat.

The home side have not enjoyed a strong season at the Colchester Community Stadium. They have the second-worst home record in League Two, picking up just 21 points from 19 matches and will be looking to avoid two home defeats in a row when they welcome high-flying Stockport.

Stockport recorded their fourth consecutive win when they beat Sutton United 3-1 last time out, courtesy of a first-half hat-trick from Paddy Madden.

This victory helped the Hatters maintain their four-point lead over second-placed Wrexham at the top of the table despite having a game in hand.

Dave Challinor's side are on course for a second promotion in three seasons as they lead the way with five matches remaining and could even secure the title within the next few matches.

Stockport are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Colchester, winning the last three without conceding a goal while scoring four themselves.

The Hatters are joint-best away side in the league, picking up 36 points from 20 games on the road. However, their trips to the Colchester Community Stadium have not been successful, winning just once and losing five of their six games there.

Colchester United League Two form:

L

D

D

W

D

L

Stockport County League Two form:

D

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Cowley made two changes to the Colchester side from Easter Monday's game against Tranmere Rovers with Tom Dallison and Akinde joining the XI.

Samson Tovide also recovered from his ankle injury but had to settle for a substitute appearance against Wrexham. However, he could play from the start on Tuesday.

A back three of Dallison, Connor Hall and Jay Mingi is likely to take to the pitch once again after starting together last time out.

Louie Barry and Will Collar have missed Stockport County's last set of fixtures with hamstring strains, and are likely to still be out of the team for Tuesday's game.

Hat trick hero Madden is expected to start in attack once again alongside Isaac Olaofe in Challinor's 5-3-2 formation.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Mingi, Hall, Dallison; Anderson, Smith, Read, McGeehan, Fevrier; Akinde, Hopper

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Horsfall, Pye, Touray; Lemonheigh-Evans, Sarcevic, Camps; Richards; Olaofe, Madden

We say: Colchester United 1-2 Stockport County

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