Kaikai-less United travel to playoff hopeful Barnet

The U's are back on the road following a 1-0 win against Salford last time out. Since then, Notts County lost 3-0 against Oldham and Norburn got his 2nd red card in his last 92 minutes of football. However, Kaikai was called up to the Sierra Leone national team for their international friendly against Oman on Friday. Due to the travel, Kaikai will miss the Saturday game for Cambridge United. Without our joint top goal scorer, the goals will have to come from elsewhere.

The U's will enter their fixture with Barnet potentially down to 4th as Notts County travel to Harrogate Town. If Harrogate win 6-0 then by 3pm, the U's will be out of the autos for the 1st time in a long time. It is clearly very unlikely and Harris certainly won't entertain the if buts and maybes.

Harris could replace Kaikai will numerous of players. If it is a like for like change then I'd expect Mayor or McConnell to come in as a no.10/winger. Alternatively, Harris could play 2 strikers and play Knight as a solo 10. If Harris did decide the latter then I'd be surprised if he went with anyone other than Lavery.

Barnet will have their focus on all 3 points with their battle for playoffs heating up. Sitting just 5 points behind Grimsby, a win could be crucial for the Bees' League One ambition. However, ahead of them is the best defensive side (conceding just 0.7 goals a game). Barnet will feel confident going against such a good defence as they have goals from all over the pitch. Right back Adam Senior and midfielder Mark Shelton both have 7 goals (same as Appere) and their striker Kabongo Tshimanga has 10 goals this season. His supporting cast also have a combined 11 goals from just their 2 wingers and attacking midfielder. Thankfully for the U's, Barnet are also without their starting winger who has also been called up to play with Kaikai for Sierra Leone.

With the pressure mounting on both sides, expect a cagey start from both sides but Barnet will be more likely to score in the 1st half. 63% of their goals at home have come in the 1st half however they average a goal conceded every 72 minutes at home. If the U's can go into the game level then it will put excessive pressure on Barnet and that's when Cambridge United play their best. The game will be won for either team out wide, key matchups will be Glover vs Bennett and Senior vs Brophy.