We turn our attentions to the weekend as The Bluebirds get back to League Two action with a trip to The JobServe Community Stadium.
Colchester United v Barrow
Saturday 15th January 2022, 3pm
JobServe Community Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Colchester United fell to their third successive League Two defeat in midweek when they were beaten 2-0 at Forest Green Rovers as the league-leaders extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.
The loss in Nailsworth means that The U’s remain 22nd in the table ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Barrow – though they are just a point behind with a game in hand.
Following an inconsistent opening to the 2021/22 campaign, Colchester showed signs of improved form at the end of October and into November as they won four from seven in all competitions.
However, their Christmas schedule was decimated by postponements and they’ve now lost all three games since their return to action at Crawley Town on New Year’s Day.
One To Watch
Colchester United fans were delighted when front man Freddie Sears re-joined The U’s during the summer after having a very productive three-year spell there between 2012 and 2015.
A graduate of West Ham United’s Academy, Sears proved himself in senior football during his first stint at Colchester before going on to play over 200 games at Ipswich Town.
Despite Colchester’s inconsistency this term, the 32-year-old has been a reliable source of goals and he’s hit the net 11 times in all competitions – including one in each of his last two games.
Barrow will need to be on their guard to keep Sears quiet on Saturday with the forward crossing his fingers he recovers from illness in time to face The Bluebirds.
Head To Head
Both games between the sides last term finished as 1-1 draws but The U’s were victorious when they travelled to The Dunes Hotel Stadium earlier this term, edging an entertaining encounter 3-2 back in September.
The clubs also shared a division for a couple of seasons at the start of the 1990s when Colchester dropped into the National League, but Barrow lost on both of their trips to Essex.
Referee
Will Finnie will take on his first Barrow game of the season when he’s on the whistle for our League Two trip to Colchester United this weekend.
The official is now into his third season on the EFL’s list of referees having been promoted from the National League for the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
Finnie’s most recent outing came in League One last weekend when he oversaw Accrington Stanley’s 1-1 draw with MK Dons during which he showed a red card to Stanley’s Liam Coyle.
Tickets
Fans can buy their tickets for Saturday’s game by visiting Colchester United’s Online Tickets portal and you can make a saving by buying in advance of matchday.
Click here for all the information you need on tickets for the game.
Live Streaming
We are unable to live stream games on iFollow in the UK on Saturday afternoons, though Bluebirds fans outside of the country can still access live footage on iFollow.
Click here now to visit the Colchester United Match Centre and snap up your Video Match Pass.
Live Commentary
We are providing live online audio commentary from every game this season on iFollow as we continue our broadcast partnership with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will once again be behind the mic as we head for Essex on Saturday.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
The bookies are struggling to split the two sides ahead the weekend, with Barrow rated an 8/5 shot and hosts Colchester priced up at 13/8, while a draw is available at odds of 11/5.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.