Cambridge v Leeds Betting Tips: In-form U’s can go well against Championship opposition

The final FA Cup tie of the weekend sees League Two Cambridge United host Championship play-off hopefuls Leeds United on Monday night.

Cambridge have been on a fantastic run recently with no defeats in their last seven, winning six of those and lifting themselves up into the play-off places – two points ahead of nearest challengers Colchester United.

As expected with a team that has accumulated so many wins over the last few weeks, The U’s score a fair number of goals with 35 in just 24 matches. However, Shaun Derry’s team are also excellent at the back with his side not conceding more than one goal in a league match since 19th November.

Their recent 4-0 and 5-0 wins against Hartlepool United and Notts County respectively show that Cambridge can use their strengths to produce convincing scorelines.

After suffering three consecutive home losses on the bounce, The U’s have recovered to win their last three games in the league at the Abbey Stadium. Their home record in the FA Cup has been good in recent years too with just one loss in their last eight home matches in the competition.

Just like Cambridge, Leeds themselves have been on an excellent run with seven wins in their last ten matches and no defeats in their last five – a run of results that has boosted them up to 5th, five points above the play-off dotted line.

Garry Monk’s team do score a fair number of goals but it is mainly their defensive solidity that has kept them up towards the top of the table having conceded just 24 goals in 25 matches, keeping three clean sheets in their last five.

Unfortunately for The Whites, away form has been a little patchy of late with just one win in their last four in all competitions whilst their usual reliability in defence has been the opposite on the road with no clean sheet away from Elland Road since 22nd October. Additionally, this dismal away run is continued in the FA Cup with Leeds losing four of their last five FA Cup matches on their travels.

The bookies are understandably siding with Leeds here given their superior stature. However, I am not sure Monk will play a full strength side which means Cambridge, who are on a fantastic run themselves, may be able to take advantage. It would not surprise me if we saw a shock here with Leeds players going down to Abbey Road thinking it will be a walkover. With this in mind, the flexible bet of ‘Cambridge United Draw No Bet’, at 19/10, is well worth a go.

If you fancy something more neutral then ‘Over 2.5 Goals’, at 21/20, also catches the eye. With a lesser Leeds XI taking to the pitch they could quite easily lose a lot of their defensive stability and it would be surprise if we say yet another open, attacking cup tie here. Additionally, ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ would have landed in three of Leeds’ last five matches and four out of Cambridge’s last five.

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