Stevenage will be aiming to maintain their position in League One's play-off spots by gaining a positive result against Cambridge United on Friday.

The visitors will be hoping to bounce back after suffering defeat against Oxford United on Boxing Day.

Match preview

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Having returned to the third tier of English football for the first time in a decade by finishing second in League Two last season, Stevenage could scarcely have imagined pushing for another promotion at this level.

However, Steve Evans's side remained in sixth position by beating Northampton Town 3-0 on Boxing Day. Goals from Jamie Reid and Jordan Roberts before half-time made it a comfortable afternoon for the hosts, with Elliott List wrapping up all three points to provide Evans and the club's fan base with a perfect Christmas present.

The Boro have never competed in the second tier of English football in their history, having only been founded in 1976. They only reached the Football League for the first time in 2010, before ending their nine-year stay in League Two last time out.

With last season's beaten play-off finalists Barnsley breathing down their necks in seventh place, only another victory against relatively local opponents at the Lamex Stadium will guarantee that Stevenage end the calendar year within the top six positions.

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However, Cambridge will provide stiff opposition having picked up since replacing Mark Bonner with Neil Harris in their managerial dugout earlier this month. The former Gillingham boss suffered his first league defeat in charge of the U's away to Oxford last time out.

Harris's side appeared to be on course to claim an excellent away point against the play-off contenders, with Jordan Cousins and Tyler Goodrham exchanging strikes either side of half-time. But Ciaron Brown struck in the fifth minute of injury time to move his side back into the play-off positions, above Stevenage on goals scored.

Harris had previously claimed seven points from his opening three games against Charlton Athletic, Blackpool and Exeter City. With back-to-back victories at Abbey Stadium, there appears to be more than enough quality and spirit for Harris to work with, and keep Cambridge away from relegation danger in the process.

With just three points from their last 10 away games - and no victory on the road since their opening away game of the season against Fleetwood Town - it will certainly be a tall order for Cambridge to avoid defeat against their high-flying opponents on Friday.

Team News

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Having beaten Northampton with ease on Boxing Day, Evans may be tempted to name an unchanged side despite the short turnaround between fixtures.

However, the likes of Ben Thompson and Jake Forster-Caskey in particular provide excellent options to offer fresh legs within the hosts' engine room, so it would be no major surprise to see either of them lining up on Friday.

Cambridge, meanwhile, will travel without Gassan Ahadme due to a stress fracture of the foot. The 23-year-old, who has impressed since joining on loan from Ipswich Town, may not feature again until March.

Elias Kachunga was also absent against Oxford due to a hamstring issue and is highly unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Stevenage, leaving Harris with few options to change his side.

Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Butler; L Thompson, Forster-Caskey; List, Freeman, Roberts; Reid

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L Bennett, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Cousins, May; Lankester, Thomas, Brophy; Kaikai

We say: Stevenage 2-0 Cambridge United

Cambridge are missing some key attacking players through injury at present, while their away form has bee rotten all season.

As such, we expect Stevenage to smell blood as they continue to perform above expectations under Evans's management. It should be a comfortable victory for them on Friday.

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