It's Cambridge United's[@opponent]Cambridge United[/@opponent] turn to try and humiliate Oxford at Minchery Farm, although tomorrow they won't have the incentive of live television coverage to spur them on. Alternatively, this could be United's first double of the season, having won 3-0 at the Abbey in their last away win, back on 20 October.[@report]278[/@report] With Oxford now nine points off the pace, and seemingly conceding the title to Dagenham & Redbridge with an unutterably woeful performance against Rushden & Diamonds on Monday, it could be argued that the pressure has been lifted, and the side may play with a bit more freedom. The players will also have had a bit more time to learn each other's names, which could help.

Jim Smith has some interesting selection decisions to make, with the arrival of two new players since the Rushden debacle. Michael Corcoran, who arrived from Cardiff on loan for a month, could replace Andy Gunn in defence. Gunn didn't do too badly on his full debut, but he made a couple of nerves-induced mistakes, and the crowd booing him couldn't have helped him to settle. Martin Foster is likely to start in midfield, possibly as a replacement for United's other Cardiff loanee, Gregg Coombes. Alternatively, should Smith decide to play four across the middle, he may play alongside Coombes, who will play on the right, and Daniel Rose, who has extended his loan to the end of the season. Four in midfield would mean losing someone from the centre of defence, though, which could in turn mean Corcoran waiting for his debut. In goal, Billy Turley, if he has recovered from injury, is likely to come back in to the side in place of Chris Tardif, who played okay in his first start of the season, but he lacked some of the presence that Turley brings to the defence. Up front, Kris Grebis and Rob Duffy are likely to continue their partnership, with Yemi Odubade standing by on the bench.

Like Rushden, Cambridge are awash with ex-Us, although none of them have impressed the Abbey faithful too much. Winger Courtney Pitt[@player]Pitt, Courtney[/@player] has only scored once this season, but has been picking up yellow cards with impressive regularity, with six bookings so far. Rob Wolleaston[@player]Wolleaston, Rob[/@player] had a bit of a rough deal at United, but seems to be making the Cambridge team often enough, although without the extravagant haircut that he displayed at Grenoble Road. The final former United player on Cambridge's books is Danny Brown[@player]Brown, Danny[/@player], who signed for Cambridge from Crawley earlier this season. Brown scored in Cambridge's last game, a 3-0 win over Woking. That was Cambridge's first win after seven straight defeats, including against Histon in the FA Trophy, their last win also being against Woking. We are unclear whether we should be pessimistic in our prediction, following the dire showing on Monday, or optimistic because of Cambridge's even worse current form, so we're going to sit on the fence instead, and predict a 1-1 draw. Well, someone's got to.

Conference leaders Dagenham are without a game tomorrow, their erstwhile opponents Kidderminster being involved in the FA Trophy fourth round. Third-placed York, three points but a lot of goal difference behind the Yellows, have a home game against bottom club Tamworth, although fourth-placed Gravesend & Northfleet are playing Rushden in the Trophy, having had their place reinstated after they were knocked out by AFC Wimbledon, because the Dons had fielded a Welsh player whose international clearance hadn't been received. Fifth-placed Morecambe are also involved in Trophy action, at home to Stevenage Borough. Burton Albion, who could still catch Oxford if they win their two games in hand, have an away game at Weymouth, for whom Stuart Beavon scored in their draw with Northwich Victoria on Saturday.