Notts County vs Cambridge United Predictions

A couple of League Two’s most prime relegation candidates go head-to-head on Saturday, when bottom club Northampton Town play 4^th from last Cambridge United at Meadow Lane.

It’s been a dismal 2018/19 season so far for County, who have won only 4 of their 27 League Two matches in total during a campaign littered with poor performances and results.

The silver lining for manager Neil Ardley however, is that safety is still in reach for County, and just 3 points currently separate them from Yeovil Town 2 places above them in the table.

To close that gap, County will have to find a way to win just their 2^nd league match in 16 matches against Cambridge United this weekend, though the Magpies recent displays suggest that,that crucial victory could be forthcoming.

Notts County took a point in 2 of their last 3 League Two fixtures against teams operating near the summit of the table. The Magpies held 3^rd place Bury to a draw at Meadow Lane on December 29^th, and they battled their way to an impressive 3-3 draw at 8^th placed Colchester just a week ago.

Those performances and points should give Neil Ardley’s men a much-needed shot of confidence ahead of a eminently more winnable game against Cambridge United on Saturday.

With 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats from their last 6, Cambridge have been putting their own points on the board to aid their quest for survival. It’s worth noting however, that all 7 of the points United accrued during that period were secured at the Abbey Stadium.

On the road, things have been far hairier for Cambridge. United have lost 6 games on the trot away from home in all competitions, conceding a whopping 19 goals in the process.

In League Two, Cambridge have been beaten in 8 of their last 10 on their travels. With the considerable away game mental block United have been unable to get over in recent months, we think there is every chance they could slip up again this weekend.

We’re backing Notts County to get the vital win they crave on Saturday, though their contest against Cambridge also promises goals.

The Magpies have the division’s worst defensive record by some distance – they have shipped 56 goals already this season, a full 9 goals more than the next worst rearguard, which incidentally belongs to Cambridge United.

With those numbers digested, we think the over 2.5 goals market looks great value for Saturday’s game. Over 2.5 goals were scored in 69% of Notts County’s home matches this season.

Our correct score forecast is going for a reverse of the final scoreline from the teams’ meeting earlier in the season. We’re going for a 3-2 Notts County win.