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

Each head into this fixture on the back of defeats in their most recent performances which they will be looking to put behind them.

Match preview

Northampton Town have had a difficult start to the 2023-24 League One campaign, managing just five victories out of their 16 games so far.

The performances have led to the Cobblers being sat in 19th place with just a single point keeping them out of the relegation zone at the moment.

That is something that Jon Brady will be trying to change, and Northampton Town did showcase that potential during their most recent outing in the league where they defeated Burton Albion by two goals to nil.

However, the Cobblers could not continue their winning ways in midweek when facing MK Dons in the Football League Trophy as they came up short in a five-goal thriller.

Despite Emmanuel Monthe and Tyreece Simpson getting on the scoresheet, Northampton Town still suffered a defeat which the team now needs to quickly put behind them.

The visitors might sit in 15th, but there is only three points between them in the league table which could allow the Cobblers to overtake them depending on the result.

Considering Cambridge United's most recent outing there is plenty for them to work on heading into this game as they suffered a 5-0 loss against Peterborough United.

That was a match to forget for Mark Bonner and his team, but after only one victory away from home this season in League One there will be some concern amongst fans.

Cambridge United have had a big problem when it comes to finding the back of the net throughout this season, with only two teams scoring less than them to this point.

That has been highlighted by the fact they have only scored three goals in their previous six League One fixtures, which is something they must focus on.

Northampton Town League One form:

L

L

D

L

L

W

Northampton Town form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

W

L

Cambridge United League One form:

D

L

D

W

D

L

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

W

L

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Team News

Northampton Town were boosted by the return of club captain Jon Guthrie in midweek, and that is something that will strengthen the squad heading into the busy festive period.

Max Dyche also featured in the loss against MK Dons as a substitute, and the forward could be in contention for more minutes this weekend.

George Thomas, Saikou Janneh and John Kymani-Gordon all got brought into the starting lineup for the visitors last weekend, and that could be the case once again this time around.

There will be some pressure on Fejiri Okenabirhie this weekend to help push Cambridge United from an offensive point of view, even though he has scored five goals already himself.

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Thompson; McGowan, Guthrie, Sherring, Brough; Sowerby, Leonard, Mcwilliams; Pinnock, Hoskins, Bowie

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Stevens; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; May, Thomas, Janneh, Digby, Brophy; Okenabirhie

We say: Northampton Town 1-1 Cambridge United

There is very little between these two teams in the league table right now with both of them having tough starts to this season.

That is something that could end up being reflected on the day in what is likely going to be a cagey match.

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