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MATCH PREVIEW: Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic | Saturday 12th April 2025 - 3pm Kick-Off

ForeverAddickted
ForeverAddickted Posts: 96,187
in General Charlton
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
Saturday 12th April 2025 - 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: James Durkin

Introduction
Charlton head out to Cambridgeshire this coming weekend for a crunch fixture with importance being played out at both ends of the table. Charlton's chances of finishing second in the table, took a big hit last Saturday, following a 2-2 draw with Lincoln, and focus now perhaps turns to ensuring that we can finish either 3rd or 4th, and so ensuring home advantage in the second leg of the Play-Offs... Our opponents wont make life at all easy this coming Saturday, as they look to their own issues, with the season set to reach its climax!!

The Opposition
Name: Cambridge United (23rd) - Manager: Neil Harris
Ground: Abbey Stadium
Previous Result: Shrewsbury 0-1 Cambridge United

Awaiting our visit in Cambridgeshire, are Cambridge United, a side who themselves will be desperate for three points what with their League One future hanging by the thinnest of threads - Defeat against the Addicks tomorrow won't relegated Cambridge, however they'll equally be praying results to go their way regardless of their outcome against us. Best case scenario (meaning a Cambridge win) is they'll be five points behind Bristol Rovers come 5pm with four games left to play, worst case scenario (and ideal for us) is they'll end up ten points from safety... With just twelve points left, that really would be a disaster for the opposition.

So you can see why it really is a crunch fixture for both teams, however there is the slightest amount of hope around the Abbey Stadium at present... They're undefeated in the last four matches, with one win (coming last week against Shrewsbury), and three draws (Barnsley, Northampton, Wrexham), meaning that Cambridge arent returning to League Two without a fight.

Its also worth mentioning their Manager; Neil Harris who'll be familiar to Charlton fans, given his reputation as a Striker for our rivals - As a Manager he's been a thorn in our side, after all in the eight games we've faced a side managed by Harris, we've come away victors on two occasions, with four of those matches ended in a draw... In terms of match up, and Cambridge have only managed the one draw against the Addicks at the Abbey Stadium across the last three seasons, that came last season (courtesy of a Macauley Bonne goal), the other two ended in favour of the visitors, so lets hope for a repeat of that outcome once more!!

Charlton Team News
There have been notable absences in recent weeks, with Lloyd Jones and Tyreece Campbell both missing last week due to minor injuries. Nathan Jones confirmed that both are closer to a return to First Team action compared to a week ago, so lets hope that'll be the case once more - Whilst we've been able to "cope" without either individual, there have been moments where their ability has been missed amongst the squad.

Mannion
Ramsay - Mitchell - Gillesphey
Small - Coventry - Docherty - Edwards
Berry
Godden - Campbell

Substitutes Bench: Bouzanis - Jones - McIntyre - Anderson - Gilbert - Aneke - Dixon
«1

Comments

  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,343
    I would prefer Dixon on the right.
  • paulsturgess
    paulsturgess Posts: 3,978
    Redrobo said:
    I would prefer Dixon on the right.
    instead of small?! 
  • KettsJohn
    KettsJohn Posts: 1,256
    Tough fixture this one. Hopefully Jones will have them well up for it. Got a feeling we will be without TC and Lloyd again. Need a win to really cement that play off place. Hopefully will get it. 1-0 Godden again. UTA.
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 13,219
    Expecting/hoping for a response to last weekends slightly drab sounding performance. It’s going to be pretty hot so our fitness levels should make a big difference 
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,810
    edited April 11
    .
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 23,696
    This has to be a comfortable 0-4
  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,343
    paulsturgess said:
    Redrobo said:
    I would prefer Dixon on the right.
    instead of small?! 
    Whoops. Meant left instead of Campbell.
  • clive
    clive Posts: 19,798
    https://www.charltonafc.com/news/match-preview-cambridge-united-v-charlton-2
  • clive
    clive Posts: 19,798
    • Cambridge United have failed to win any of their last nine league games against Charlton Athletic (D4 L5) since a 1-0 victory in February 1992.
    • After failing to win any of their first seven away league games against Cambridge United (D2 L5), Charlton Athletic have since won three of their last four (D1).
    • Only Burton Albion (4) have won fewer home games in League One this season than Cambridge United (5), who are winless in their last four on home soil (D2 L2).
    • Charlton’s Nathan Jones is unbeaten across his prior seven managerial league games against Cambridge (W4 D3), with his side netting 2.3 goals on average per fixture in that time.
    https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/10/sky-bet-league-one-pre-match-stat-pack/
  • RonnieMoore
    RonnieMoore Posts: 4,641
    Nothing to do with Cambridge tomorrow its all about Neil Harris and the fact we not beaten him
    as a manager.……… only change tomorrow will see Campbell return or if not Dixon starting 

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  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,823
    If Campbell doesn't start, it would suggest the club is not being open about his injury as it has been played down. Having said that, I appreciate that sometimes you may view that being open with supporters helps the preperation of opponents and ultimately, we just want our team to increase its chances of winning games.
  • satindoors
    satindoors Posts: 209
    COYR 
  • Blucher
    Blucher Posts: 4,186
    Let's hope that Campbell is fit to start or, at the very least, makes the bench. Without him, we looked very pedestrian last week. Apart from Tyreece's speed and ability to beat players, the threat he offers is likely to force back Liam Bennett, Cambridge's attacking right back, who is one of their best players.

    If Tyreece is not fit, then given the paucity of options, maybe Nathan will play Ahadme for 45-50 minutes before introducing Chuks. The Gasman did well at this ground for Cambridge last year and it might inspire him to raise his game a bit or at least make a nuisance of himself, occupy defenders and make some space for Godden.

    We really need Lloyd Jones back as well, especially after last Saturday, although he's clearly been carrying a persistent injury for some time and I suspect he'll sit this one out.

    Cambridge are in the last chance saloon, so they're bound to throw everything at it. Hopefully we can get the first goal, let the air out of their tyres and drain whatever confidence they have. 

  • Solidgone
    Solidgone Posts: 10,264
    Without TC and jones im hopeful for a draw. 
  • Off_it
    Off_it Posts: 29,022
    RonnieMoore said:
    Nothing to do with Cambridge tomorrow its all about Neil Harris and the fact we not beaten him
    as a manager.……… only change tomorrow will see Campbell return or if not Dixon starting 
    Have we not? That's not what the preview says.

    Hmm ...... who to believe???
  • Pavoren007
    Pavoren007 Posts: 2,552
    A narrow 2-1 win. Cambridge are picking up points and will be doing all they can to take the 3 points they need. We’ll have just a bit too much for them to handle. 🤞🏻 on TC, makes such a difference. 
  • fenlandaddick
    fenlandaddick Posts: 1,807
    Wearing red. 0-4 COYR
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 23,696
    Can’t see TC starting, maybe off the bench but have Dixon start, surely we have enough to beat Cambridge without having to rush back TC or Jones.
  • Billericaydickie
    Billericaydickie Posts: 342
    Only 5 games left, with 2 games, both away to Wycombe and Wrexham still to come.

    In order to finish 3rd or 4th, it is imperative we get the points in the bag before we play Wycombe and Wrexham.

    If we slip up against Cambridge and Northampton, there is every chance we get nothing from the Wycombe and Wrexham matches and end up finishing 5th, 6th, or even out of the play off places altogether in 7th place.

    Hopefully Nathan has learnt a valuable lesson from the Lincoln game. 

    But it vital that we go all out to get a win today. Because points dropped today, may prove to very costly come the end of the season.
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,493
    A win might be their last chance of staying up so they'll probably be scrappy and aggressive.
    Our need is similar, we still need every point to cement our play off spot.
    This is the type of game where Lloyd Jones will be sorely missed and we'll need the aggression of Alex Mitchell instead of McIntyre who got found out a bit last week.

    A tough, fought out draw which suits us better than Cambridge

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  • Sillybilly
    Sillybilly Posts: 9,255
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
  • Kinsella87
    Kinsella87 Posts: 519
    Cambridge great place for an away day, been to the last couple games. Always this time of year too! 

    Easy favourites for the bookies this game, and we need to prove them right. Would be a proper downer if we don’t get a win out of this. Build some momentum up for the 2 big away games coming up. 

    Need to utilise our fwd options, none of them that appealing other than Godden but better than putting a CM up front 😂

    be great if Berry can get a goal or 2 in the next few games, seems on a slight slump atm. 

    Charlton to win 3-0 - Berry, Godden and Small to score.

    COYR

  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,760
    Sillybilly said:
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
    Not sure Jones would confirm they’re back and ready though, he avoids saying too much on injuries either way.
  • AndyG
    AndyG Posts: 6,021
    They are fighting for their lives so will be really up for it. If we can get a grip on the game early we should be fine but if they are still in it late on things could get messy. I think a 1-1 draw unless our previously missing key players are back 
  • letthegoodtimesroll
    letthegoodtimesroll Posts: 10,792
    Scoham said:
    Sillybilly said:
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
    Not sure Jones would confirm they’re back and ready though, he avoids saying too much on injuries either way.
    If they are not 100% and Nathan believes they are not 100% needed for this game, I’d leave them out for another week. Our strongest team is going to be needed for the last 3 regular season matches and those (hopefully) 3 play off games. 
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 70,458
    Scoham said:
    Sillybilly said:
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
    Not sure Jones would confirm they’re back and ready though, he avoids saying too much on injuries either way.
    Exactly. Why tell Neil Harris in advance whether TC is fit or not.
  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,977
    Cambridge have injuries to influential players as well as us so i think we we win. I have a feeling Jones might be back today. 

    0-2  ( Godden , Berry )

  • Kap10
    Kap10 Posts: 15,641
    edited April 12
    Scoham said:
    Sillybilly said:
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
    Not sure Jones would confirm they’re back and ready though, he avoids saying too much on injuries either way.
    Hey don't knock it, they're a week closer to a return than they were last week, a day closer than they were yesterday,  an hour closer than they were an hour ago, a minute closer than they were a minute ago and a second closer than they were a second ago what more information do we need Lol
  • Southbank
    Southbank Posts: 5,412
    Sillybilly said:
    “Closer than they were last week” or whatever it was that he said is Jones speak for “They’re still out” so I’m not expecting to see TC or Jones.  That being the case we need to do something to ensure effective width which is the main reason for our change in fortunes, as shown by the return to hoofball last week.  I’m not sure if Dixon is the answer to that conundrum but I’d personally like to se him get some significant game time.  We should win this but it might be a bit of a struggle. 
    'Closer' means see you next season in Jones speak
  • Er_Be_Ab_Pl_Wo_Wo_Ch
    Er_Be_Ab_Pl_Wo_Wo_Ch Posts: 1,898
    From us in 5th down to Orient in 9th all teams have similar-ish winnable but "it doesn’t always turn out that way" away fixtures.

    Easy to be too expectant for these kinds of games, at full time'd take a point and no new injuries, this isn't a must-win.

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