5Q PREVIEW: Cambridge United look to advance to the Last 16 in the Checkatrade Trophy against local rivals Northampton

Cambridge United take on rivals Northampton Town on Tuesday night in the Last 32 of the Checkatrade Trophy. The U's finished top of the Southern Group B and Northampton runners-up of their group, Southern Group F.

Cambridge are unbeaten in seven matches against the Cobblers, winning their last two at the Abbey. Northampton have the upper hand in the fixture since 1970 though, winning 15 out of the fixtures between the two sides, drawing 12 and United winning 13.

Keith Curle is the manager of Northampton Town, taking over from Dean Austin on the 1st of September this year. Since then, those at Sixfields have seen a dramatic change in fortune, arriving with the club in 21st Curle has lifted the Cobblers to 17th.

Contrastingly, Cambridge head into the match without a permanent manager at the helm after Joe Dunne was sacked on Saturday morning. Dunne's assistant Mark Bonner has taken charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis whilst the club search for a successor.

Ade Azeez has been in great form in the Checkatrade Trophy and sits joint top of the goalscoring charts in the competition with five goals. He netted a hat-trick against Southampton U21's in the U's second game, before scoring a brace against Colchester to secure the teams place in the next round.

Ahead of the match we've got the view of the opposition and have spoken to Northampton Town unofficial fan page @TeynEdition to get the lowdown on this week's opponents.

Question 1

Your season didn’t start so well but since Keith Curle has come in you’ve been on the up, what do you make of the campaign so far?

@TeynEdition: We started off the season well, dominating every game and running all over the opposition, but we couldn’t score. We wasted chances and in the end, the players lost confidence.

Since Keith Curle has come in, we’ve played worse football but we’re finally scoring and getting what we need.

I’d say we look good and have the quality but we just need to make up for lost time and points. I think we’re looking like a playoff team.

Question 2

How seriously are both the club and fans taking the Checkatrade Trophy this year?

@TeynEdition: The club is taking it very seriously. Keith Curle takes every match as if it was his last and he never shows disrespect to the other side or plays a reserves team.

Against Oxford, he basically played his strongest 11 and he speaks of how this is a chance to make the club some money and get some silverware, even if it is the least desirable.

Fans, on the other hand, are still boycotting and have no interest what so ever, even though we’re doing well in it. To put it into context our U18 FA cup match had a higher attendance then our Chekatrade Trophy matches.

Question 3

Where do Cambridge rank in your biggest rivals?

@TeynEdition: To be honest, Northampton only see Peterborough as their true and only rivals. They are the only club we chant about it, have flags for and joke about. However, if I had to pick I’d have to go with: Peterborough, MK Dons, Oxford, Luton and then Cambridge.

But the only reason Northampton hate Cambridge is not because of distance or rivalry as such, more to do with the fact we can’t stand having to share the same rival.

Question 4

Who are the in-form Northampton players we should be looking out for?

@TeynEdition: Our top 3 inform players would have to be -

1. Kevin Van Veen - been part of nearly every goal this month, registering assists. But he’s just a nuisance to play against. You think the opposition has it under control and then he's suddenly on you, nicks it, has the ball and gets us on the attack.

2. Jordan Turnbull - absolute rock, has one of the best defensive stats in the league this month and is my personal POTM.

3. David Cornell - Would go with Matt Crooks if he plays as he’s been our star man throughout, but, due to his injury, I’d have to go with Cornell, a keeper in fine form and doing an excellent job between the sticks.

Question 5

How will the game pan out? Score prediction?

@TeynEdition: I can only remember one time we’ve beaten Cambridge to my memory. And that was on penalties in the Chekatrade, so I’m gonna go with a 1-1 draw then Northampton to win on penalties.