Cambridge United's 2008-09 away campaign begins on Saturday where the normal season ended last time, at Northwich Victoria.

Much has changed in the intervening months, not least a change in the management team, several players in and out, and new home shirt sponsorship, but Gary Brabin's new-look Cambridge United will step out on Saturday with the aim of going one better than last season and ending the season with promotion back to the Football League.

However Northwich Victoria were the league's form side at the end of last season and Dino Maamria earned many plaudits for lifting them off the bottom of the table to secure safety in the season's penultimate game.

We're rated at 11/8 to grab three points and start the season in the best possible way, while the Vics are 13/8 for the win and the draw is 9/4. But if you don't fancy those odds there's a host of other betting opportunities on offer, including First Goalscorer and Scorecast. Click here for all the match odds.

Team News

Winger Courtney Pitt and midfielder Danny Brown are both definitely ruled out with knee and shoulder problems, but defender Wayne Hatswell is back in training following last week's ankle injury and he is fit for selection.

Brabin has added four players to the squad in the last week - defender Phil Bolland, midfielder Jon Challinor, striker Chris Jones and winger Felino Jardim - so he has plenty of selection options all over the pitch and the team looks well equipped to live up to his stated aim of trying to play fast attacking football whenever possible.

Confirming that he feels he is close to having his preferred starting line-up, the U's boss commented, "We've got a good, strong nine or ten and there's just a little bit of tweaking with another couple of positions but I'm near to my starting team in my head.

"Everyone is there to compete for the first eleven shirts and it's up to everyone to try and force his way into the first eleven."

Having brought in teenage Swansea striker Chris Jones on loan this week, and with players like Mark Beesley, Andy Parkinson (below) and Jon Challinor effective in a number of forward positions, Brabin added, "I want good competition for places up front and I don't want us to be predictable in the final third.

"I want us to have a good solid back four, keep clean sheets, and be exciting and play football and break teams down. I think I've got that now with the different variety of forwards."

Nonetheless, he confirmed that he is constantly on the lookout for quality players who he may be able to add to the squad and warned, "Eventually there will be players here who will want to go and play games elsewhere just to get games, but that's just part of what happens when you're strengthening your side all the time."

The Opposition

Northwich provide the season's first competitive opposition and a repeat of the 2-0 win there in April [report] would be an ideal start to Brabin's reign as manager. In fact, United have scored six goals and conceded none in our two previous visits, but he is well aware of the home side's strengths.

"They're a big, strong well-organised side and for last four or five months of last season they were the form side. I know Cambridge beat them near the end but they finished really strongly and they're no mugs," he confirmed.

"I think he's signed some decent players in the summer and I think he's happy with his side. I watched them a few times and I've had them watched a couple of times and and I think they'll be hard to beat this season. I'm aware of their strengths and I've done some work with the lads on that, but if we concentrate on our own game I don't think we should have any problems.

"I know how I want to play but I like to look at other teams as well and where their weaknesses are, and emphasise our strengths. I think we're strong in all areas and in certain games we could hurt the opposition."

Repeating his desire for good attacking football, Brabin commented, "I've said from day one I want people to give me 100%, work hard and enjoy their football. Every session we've had since I've been here, whether it be fitness or tactical, it's the same thing - I want us to defend first and foremost, and I want us to be exciting in the other half."

More Information

You can find directions and ticket details here, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this week please follow this link to visit our official betting partners bet365 - the only place where your online betting makes money for the club.

Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.

AT080808