Cambridge United host Brighton & Hove Albion's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. The Group South fixture at Abbey Stadium kicks off at 7pm on 3 November.
It offers a change of focus after a difficult 3-0 league defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday. They have won only one of their last five matches, a run that includes two draws and two losses. Their overall goal difference stands at plus three, having scored 21 and conceded 18. The 3-0 loss at Leyton Orient, where Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jaze Kabia and Aaron Connolly scored for the hosts, leaves them four points behind the league leaders.
Recent struggles
The heavy loss at Brisbane Road extended a patchy run. Before that, Sullay Kaikai's equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday. The sequence also includes a 3-2 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle and a 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. Their last win was a 2-1 victory over Barnsley on 17 October. This recent form of one win, two draws and two losses has seen them slip from a stronger position earlier in the campaign.
The starting lineup against Leyton Orient featured Eastwood in goal behind a back three of Cathal Heffernan, Watts and Callum Perry. Bennett, Hoddle, Mpanzu and Bradshaw operated in midfield, with Knight and Sullay Kaikai supporting striker Appéré.
Opponent form
Brighton's development squad arrive following a 4-3 defeat to Gillingham in their last Trophy outing on 13 October. Their lineup that day included players like Hall and Munday, and they are likely to field a similarly young side looking to test themselves against senior opposition. The Seagulls' under-21s are currently fourth in Premier League 2 Division 1.
For Cambridge, the competition represents a chance to build momentum ahead of a key league trip to Luton Town on 14 November. Luton currently sit one place below United in eighth, setting up a tight contest at Kenilworth Road. A positive result in the Trophy could provide a timely confidence boost ahead of that key league fixture against a direct rival.
The EFL Trophy group stage continues next month, with United's final fixture in the section scheduled for late November. Progression to the knockout stages is achieved by finishing first or second in the four-team group.
