MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 09:57:20| >> :120:34021:34021:
[monks data]
Cambridge United
League One | Gameweek 23
Dec 18, 2021 at 3pm UK
 
Rotherham logo

Cambridge
0 - 1
Rotherham


Smith (45+3'), Ironside (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Barlaser (66')
Ihiekwe (87')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Cambridge United and Rotherham United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rotherham United will travel to the Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United on Saturday with the visitors looking to hold onto top spot in League One.

After losing last weekend, the hosts will be aiming to return to winning ways as they look to end Rotherham's 20 game unbeaten run in all competitions


Match preview

Rotherham United's Chiedozie Ogbene celebrates after scoring their fifth goal on December 7, 2021© Reuters

Cambridge enter the weekend in 16th position, which leaves them seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The U's enter Saturday's contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic last weekend, which frustratingly ended a run of three consecutive victories in all competitions.

A Conor Washington brace was enough to condemn Cambridge to defeat in that fixture, and Mark Bonner will know that his side will be up against it to avoid a similar result when the league leaders come to town on Saturday.

A positive start will be needed if the hosts are to trouble Rotherham, but having failed to score in the opening 15 minutes at home in the league this season, it may be unlikely that Cambridge will fly out the traps.

Although, after losing once in their last eight home games in all competitions, Bonner may be hopeful that his side can frustrate the Millers at the weekend.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured on April 27, 2021© Reuters

Rotherham have swept past all challengers this season with the hosts unbeaten since a 4-2 defeat at home to Fleetwood Town on September 11.

Since that loss, the Millers have avoided defeats in their last 20 competitive fixtures, which has helped them obtain a two-point gap at the top of League One.

Paul Warne's side will make their first away trip of December full of confidence after winning consecutive home games, with the Millers scoring eight goals in those two fixtures.

A comfortable 5-1 win over Gillingham was followed by an impressive 3-1 victory last weekend against Burton Albion that came courtesy of a Freddie Ladapo brace and a Dan Barlaser strike.

Having kept five clean sheets in their last six away games, Rotherham will believe that they have the resources to overpower Cambridge on Saturday.

Cambridge United League One form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L

Cambridge United form (all competitions):
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Rotherham United League One form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Rotherham United form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Rotherham United's Freddie Lapado celebrates after scoring their first goal on December 7, 2021© Reuters

Despite suffering a defeat last weekend, Bonner is expected to name an unchanged team for Saturday.

That means James Brophy will keep his place in the side after coming into the starting lineup for the Charlton contest.

Joe Ironside will lead the line for the hosts, and Cambridge's top scorer will look to add to the 11 league goals that he has scored in the league this term.

Rotherham are expected to welcome Wes Harding back into the starting lineup after the defender missed the midweek encounter with Burton Albion.

There will be no place in the squad for Mickel Miller, with a groin injury keeping the striker out of the fixture.

With 19 goals between them, Michael Smith and Ladapo will continue their formidable forward partnership on Saturday.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Iredale, Dunk; Weir, Digby, May; Smith, Brophy, Ironside

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Harding, Edmonds-Green, Ihiekwe; Ogbene, Rathbone, Barlaser, Wiles, Ferguson; Ladapo, Smith


SM words green background

We say: Cambridge United 1-3 Rotherham United

Cambridge will be the latest side to challenge Rotherham's unbeaten run, but we think that the Millers will have too much quality for the hosts on Saturday as they look to maintain their place at the top of the table.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



ID:473027:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9207:
Written by
Ben Sully

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Rotherham United win with a probability of 52.89%. A draw had a probability of 25.4% and a win for Cambridge United had a probability of 21.68%.

The most likely scoreline for a Rotherham United win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.31%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (10.4%) and 1-2 (9.37%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.98%), while for a Cambridge United win it was 1-0 (7.66%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 13.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 0-1 win for Rotherham United in this match and our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted the win for Rotherham United.


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Game History

How you voted: Cambridge vs Rotherham

Cambridge United
30.8%
Draw
0.0%
Rotherham United
69.2%
13
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