Newly-promoted Bromley will look to continue their solid start to life in League Two when they face Colchester United on Saturday.
The hosts have made a stuttering start to the season as they sit in 15th after four games played, but they will leapfrog their opponents with a win.
Match preview
© Imago
Colchester come into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw away at Accrington Stanley last weekend, when Ben Goodliffe's late equaliser prevented back-to-back league defeats for the U's.
Draws have very much been the order of the day for head coach Danny Cowley, who has overseen 11 in his 26 games in charge.
These draws suggest Colchester are a tough side to beat, and they also boast the joint-highest xG per 90 minutes in League Two; suggesting that Cowley's side are close to finding the back of the net more regularly if they continue to create chances.
Colchester have done some good business over the summer too, with experienced midfielders Jack Payne and Teddy Bishop joining the U's this season, and goalkeeper Matt Macey adding some invaluable experience at this level.
Outside of their league form, the U's were recently eliminated from the second round of the EFL Cup by Premier League side Brentford, narrowly losing 1-0 courtesy of a Keane Lewis-Potter strike.
© Imago
Bromley have made a solid enough start to their maiden League Two campaign, having taken six points from their opening two games to leave themselves sitting in the top half of the table.
The Ravens come into Saturday's game on the back of two consecutive league losses, but will be buoyed by a midweek penalty shootout win over Cambridge United in the Football League Trophy after a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Last time out in the league, the Ravens were left stunned after two late Crewe Alexandra goals from Mickey Demetriou and Chris Long cancelled out Lewis Leigh's second-minute strike as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.
Despite the recent drop in results, performances have still been spirited and they do have 2-0 league wins over Harrogate Town and AFC Wimbledon to their name, with striker Michael Cheek scoring in both victories.
Manager Andy Woodman has been at the club since 2021 after leaving his position as Arsenal's head of goalkeeping, and with last season's playoff victory adding to a 2022 FA Trophy win, the manager has certainly got Bromley on the up.
A goalkeeper during his playing days, Woodman also spent two seasons between the sticks for Saturday's opponents between 2000 and 2002.
- L
- W
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- L
Team News
© Imago
Colchester come into Saturday's game with a fully-fit squad, and any changes from their last draw will likely be minimal.
Cowley could turn to Harry Anderson on the wing in place of Mandela Egbo, or even hand a start to defender Goodliffe, who has scored three times in his first two games for Colchester.
The U's have also signed Joel Thompson on a short-team deal after the midfielder was released by Nottingham Forest, and while the 19-year-old could feature on Saturday, any appearance is likely to be from the bench.
The visitors also have a clean bill of health as they travel up to Bromley, with Ashley Charles available again after serving his one-game suspension in the defeat at home to Crewe.
Bromley did play on Tuesday night in the cup, but Woodman was able to use his sizeable roster to ring the changes, with only Leigh and Cameron Congreve likely to keep their place in the starting XI come Saturday.
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Macey; Goodliffe, Flanagan, Iandolo; Woodyard; Egbo, Payne, Bishop, Gordon; Hopper, Tovide
Bromley possible starting lineup:
Smith; Grant, Webster, Reynolds; Imray, Arthurs, Leigh, Odutayo; Congreve, Whitely, Cheek
We say: Colchester United 1-1 Bromley
The hosts have demonstrated in the early stages of the season that they are a capable outfit if they can just find that clinical edge in front of goal, but it remains to be seen if that will change in the short term.
Bromley meanwhile have made a solid start to their campaign and have already won away from home at Harrogate Town, demonstrating they could be tricky opposition for the U's on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
