Colchester United look for their first points of 2021 as they take on local rivals Cambridge United

Colchester United play their first game of the year as they take on Cambridge United at home in the local derby.

Two consecutive postponements mean that the derby is the first game of the year for Steve Ball’s men who sit 13^th in League Two.

Colchester are without a win in five league games including a 2-1 loss to Cambridge in the reverse fixture before Christmas. They will look to turn this poor run of form around as they welcome Cambridge to the Jobserve Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Cambridge United are fourth in the league and have been in good form as of late as they picked up consecutive 2-1 wins against Grimsby and Harrogate at the start of the year. It’s not been a perfect start to 2021 however, as United dropped out of the Football League Trophy in the week when they lost 1-0 to Oxford United.

Steve Ball had very high praise for one Cambridge player in particular as  he spoke in his press conference midweek saying:

“It does feel a bit like a two-legged affair, having only played them a few weeks ago. I watched them last week and the big difference is Hoolahan.”

Wes Hoolahan signed for Cambridge at the start of the season and has made a huge impact for the U’s with seven goal contributions in 14 games for Cambridge.

One other player who will look to make an impact is the League Two top goalscorer Paul Mullin. The 26-year-old has a phenomenal 18 goals and one assist to his name in 22 games this season and will look to continue his excellent scoring form this weekend.

Colchester are certainly the underdogs going into this weekend however their desire for a win could drive them to victory. Expect a gritty affair that could go either way in this heavily anticipated clash!

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