All you need to know ahead of Cambridge’s visit
Luton Town v Cambridge United
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 16th January 2016, kick-off 3pm
Official live online commentary on Hatters Player
• Nathan Jones’ first game as Hatters boss
• Town scoreless in last three games
• First home game in 2016
• Cambridge 12th in League 2
• U’s have lost last two league fixtures
• Hatters victorious in last three league meetings
• Limited tickets available
WHO? Cambridge United, aka the U’s, are the visitors to Kenilworth Road on Saturday. Shaun Derry’s side have plenty of history with the Hatters as the two battled it out in the now National League before both sealed promotion back to the football league a couple of years ago. The club were formed as Abbey United in 1912, but changed its name in 1951, back when they were playing in the Eastern Counties League.
TICKETS PLEASE. With Nathan Jones making his Hatters managerial debut, a big crowd is expected at Kenilworth Road, so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. The Category A price tickets are available from the ticket office and online.
HOW ARE THEY DOING? The U’s currently sit 12th in League Two, six points above the Hatters having played a game more, but have suffered defeats in their last two league outings against AFC Wimbledon and Crawley. Before that, however, Cambridge took 16 points from a possible 18, including an impressive victory at high-flying Plymouth. Unlike last year, the U’s don’t have any FA Cup priorities having been knocked out by Doncaster in Round Two.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? You could say that! This weekend’s meeting will be the 12th between the two sides in just three and a half season, with the Hatters prevailing in five of those, while the visitors have won just twice in that time. Last season the Town were dumped out of the FA Cup at the Abbey Stadium (with Cambridge subsequently drawing Manchester United), but the Hatters did complete the league double over United last season thanks to a 3-2 thriller in January. The two also played in September, when Luke Guttridge’s wonder strike helped the Hatters to a 3-1 win, with Danny Green netting his first league goal.
FAMILIAR FACES. While Richard Money is no longer in the Abbey Stadium dugout, Hatters favourite Keith Keane, who played over 300 times for the Town, remains on the Cambridge books although he hasn’t played since August due to a groin injury. On Thursday he joined Stevenage on-loan. Former Town defender Greg Taylor is also vying for his place in the matchday squad.
REF WATCH. West Yorkshire’s Andy Madley comes to Kenilworth Road for just the second time, having overseen the Town’s defeat at the hands of Burton Albion back in April 2015. Madley has plenty of experience in the Football League, making his debut in 2011, refereeing 25 games this season with 78 yellow cards and three reds.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. New manager Nathan Jones has had a full week and a fully-fit squad to work with since he took over last week. The boss has no injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game with Cambridge. On Thursday Jones announced that Scott Cuthbert will be the Hatters captain going forward.
LIVE AND ONLINE. As ever, we’ll be reporting live from Kenilworth Road. Build-up starts at midday, so get on our early blog on the Wall for all the latest updates.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for photos, videos and all the behind-the-scenes action. Hatters Player subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary from just before 3pm with Simon Pitts in the press box.
Post-match, remember to check out the official website, YouTube channel and Player for reports, interviews and photographs and don’t forget to tune in from midday on Sunday for all the highlights in glorious HD!