Posh and U's bosses ready to lock horns in first Cambridgeshire derby of season

Nine places and eight points separate the two sides in League One

Author: Dan MasonPublished 9th Nov 2024

The first Cambridgeshire derby of the season is almost upon us as both Peterborough United and Cambridge United look to claim local bragging rights once again.

It's almost a year to the day that Posh thrashed the U's 5-0 at the Weston Homes Stadium, the venue for today's clash, in League One with a sell-out crowd expected.

Posh - who've won back-to-back cup games - head into the derby with two wins in their last six league games, while United are aiming for a sixth straight victory in all competitions.

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson believes there's plenty on the line.

"We stick to the game plan and that's most important"

"I think it's important and a lot of stake, especially for the fans," he said.

"Last season, we won at their place which we hadn't done for a long time and the 5-0 win I think was a record, so perhaps that might be more of a motivation for them but for us, we know the importance of the win.

"I think the players look forward to these games because there's an edge to them; what we've got to do is make sure when we're in possession, we stay calm and composed and out of possession, we stick to the game plan and that's the most important thing."

Nine places and eight points separate Posh and the U's in the League One table, with Ferguson's men winning the last three meetings between the sides.

Cambridge - after 12 games without a win in all competitions - are looking for a fourth successive league triumph and if results go their way, could leap outside the bottom four.

But boss Garry Monk knows his side can't be complacent because of their recent form.

"We go there with belief, a fight and determination"

"The run's great and builds confidence, but it's not the be all or end all; it's about us trying to prove ourselves and perform at a high level, the challenge is there and we need to rise to it," he said.

"They'll be huge favourites for the game, quite rightly with the threat that they pose, but we go there with belief, with a fight and determination, trying to get the right outcome for ourselves and our fans.

"We know what it means to everyone but it means a hell of a lot to ourselves as well, so these derby games are always special and hopefully it can be a special day for us."

Kick off at the Weston Homes Stadium is at 3pm.

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