Preview: Salford City vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Since this article was published, this match has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Two teams languishing in the lower reaches of League Two will go head-to-head when Salford City welcome Colchester United to the Peninsula Stadium on Friday.

The U's are sitting in 22nd place and six points above the drop zone, while the hosts are two points better off in 21st position.

Match preview

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Former Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has experienced a solid start to his Salford tenure, having seen his side take four points from his first two matches.

Ryan Watson netted a stoppage-time penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw against Forest Green Rovers, before substitute Kelly N'Mai scored the winning goal in last Saturday's away clash with Crawley Town.

Not only did Salford move eight points clear of the bottom two, but the narrow 1-0 win brought an end to their 11-game winless league run.

While they may have enjoyed success on their travels last weekend, the Ammies still have work to do at the Peninsula Stadium, having picked up just 10 points from their 13 home matches – only basement side Forest Green have collected fewer points in front of their own supporters this season.

As a result of those struggles, Salford go into Friday's contest with aspirations of claiming their first home league win since beating Crewe Alexandra 4-2 on October 7.

Like their hosts, Colchester are under new management after Danny Cowley replaced Matthew Etherington earlier this month.

The former Portsmouth manager saw his team come from two goals down to rescue a point from his first game in charge against Swindon Town.

Colchester added another point to their tally in last Saturday's home game against Bradford City, as Tom Hopper scored a 59th-minute equaliser to cancel out Andy Cook's first-half opener.

While Cowley has seen his players show great character in his first two games, he will be desperate to end the club's five-game winless run.

The U's can certainly take confidence from the fact their most recent win took place in December's reverse fixture against Salford, with Joe Taylor and Chay Cooper finding the net in a 2-1 victory.

Team News

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Salford will have Adrian Mariappa available after the experienced defender missed the win over Crawley through suspension.

After coming off the bench to score the winner last weekend, 19-year-old N'Mai could be rewarded with a starting opportunity.

Having netted 15 goals in 27 league appearances, Matt Smith will look to add to his impressive tally when he leads the line against Colchester United.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Fiacre Kelleher, Nico Lawrence, Mandela Egbo, Jay Mingi and Samson Tovide.

Ellis Iandolo missed the draw with Bradford through injury, and he is now in a race to prove his fitness ahead of Friday's contest.

Jayden Richardson will retain his place in the side after the Stockport County loanee made his debut last weekend.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
Cairns; John, Mariappa, Tilt, Garbutt; Watson, Watt, N'Mai; Bolton, McAleny, Smith

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Mitchell, Dallison, Hall; Richardson, Read, McGeehan, Fevrier; Chilvers, Jay; Hopper

We say: Salford City 2-2 Colchester United

With just two points separating the sides in the league table, we expect Friday's encounter to be a close-fought contest, and with little to choose between the two teams, we think they may have to settle for a share of the spoils.


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