Cheltenham Town vs Colchester United
LONDON (Interstat) — Cheltenham Town hosts Colchester United in a League Two match Saturday, May 2, at Whaddon Road. The game is the final regular-season meeting between the two mid-table sides, each seeking to close the campaign on a positive note.
Colchester United enters the match after a 1-0 loss to Notts County on April 25. The U’s have been inconsistent, winning three, losing five and drawing two of their last 10 league games. Their recent victories include a 2-1 win at Accrington Stanley on April 14, a 3-0 triumph over Swindon Town on April 10 and a 1-0 victory at Tranmere Rovers on April 6. But defeats to Harrogate Town (1-0 on April 18), Oldham Athletic (3-1 on April 3) and Bromley (1-0 on March 21) have kept them in the middle of the table. Colchester also drew with Walsall and Crawley Town.
Cheltenham Town comes off a 4-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers on April 25. The Robins have also experienced peaks and valleys: They beat Newport County 1-0 on April 18, thrashed Walsall 4-0 on April 11 and defeated Gillingham 2-1 on April 14. However, losses to Tranmere Rovers (3-1 on April 21), Chesterfield (1-0 on April 3) and a 5-2 drubbing at Notts County on March 21 have marred their form. Cheltenham has drawn with Cambridge United, Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town in recent weeks.
The head-to-head favors Colchester. The U’s won the reverse fixture 2-0 on Nov. 29, snapping a three-game streak of draws between the clubs. Colchester has not lost to Cheltenham in four meetings across all competitions.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-2 draw.
Cheltenham has been strong at home, winning four of its last six league matches at Whaddon Road. Colchester, meanwhile, will look to rebound from a narrow defeat and build on a road defense that held four of its last six opponents to one goal or fewer.
Neither team faces playoff or relegation pressure, which could lead to an open, attacking contest. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local time.