Our prediction for this League 2 match:
After sharing the spoils with Grimsby Town at the weekend, Southend United will be looking to escape the relegation zone when they take on Cambridge United at Roots Hall. The Seasiders have been in a fine form of late, and seeing that a win over Cambridge could see them move away from bottom two, home win should be considered. Midfielder James Olayinka, who suffered an injury at the weekend, is unlikely to feature in the midweek clash.
Cambridge United, on the other hand, aim to regain top position in the standings. Since both Southend United and Cambridge United are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Tuesday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. When the two teams met in the EFL Trophy two years ago Southend recorded a 3-1 win over Cambridge.
Highlighted Player (Mark Oxley):
Born in Sheffield, England, on the 2nd of June, 1990, Oxley's football journey started as a Rotherham youth product. The English International signed his first professional contract with the Millers in 2007 but failed to make a single appearance for the club during that season.
The following season, he signed for Hull City, who, in turn, sent him out on successive loans to clubs like Walsall, Grimbsy Town, Oldham Athletic, and Hibernian. The 6ft 3-inch goalkeeper's professional debut meanwhile, came on the 27th of February, 2010, playing for Grimbsy in a 2-0 away loss to Dagenham in League Two. Oxley's performance during his six-month loan period with Hibernian earned him a permanent deal. He signed a two-year contract starting with the club in July 2015. In his time at the Scottish outfit, he made 90 appearances and kept 35 clean sheets. Oxley then joined his current club Southend in July 2016 on an initial two-year deal.
He had a fantastic first season, winning both fans' player of the year and players' player of the year awards. As of August 2018, Oxley has signed a contract extension and also got given the captain's armband. On the International forefront, the 29-year-old is a former youth International having capped once for England at the under-18 level.
Highlighted Team (Cambridge United):
Cambridge United are an English football club that compete in League Two. The U’s play their home games at Abbey Stadium, the venue which was built back in 1923. Owned by Grosvenor Estates, Cambridge United’s home ground can hold up to 8,127 spectators.
The U’s wear amber and black jerseys and black shorts when playing in front of home fans, while white and blue are the dominant colours of their away kit. Cambridge United won the FA Trophy in 2014, with the team making it to the FA Cup quarter-finals two times (1989/90, 1990/91). In the 1968-69 season, the U’s clinched the Southern League Cup title.
Cambridge United recorded their biggest league win in March 2007 as they outclassed Weymouth 7-0, and they repeated the success against Forest Green (2009) and Morecambe (2016). Peterborough United are regarded as the club’s main rivals, but they maintain rivalries with Northampton Town, Colchester United, Luton Town, Stevenage, and Histon as well.