Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United
Carabao Cup, The Memorial Stadium, Tuesday 12 August, 2025, 7:45pm KO
Bristol Rovers start their Carabao Cup campaign against Cambridge United at The Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates switch their attention away from Sky Bet League Two after suffering back-to-back defeats to start the 2025/26 campaign, losing to Harrogate Town at home before a 2-1 loss to Fleetwood Town in their previous fixture.
Will Davies netted a brace in the first half to give the Fishermen a two-goal advantage before Promise Omochere netted against his former side, winning a penalty before coolly dispatching the following spot-kick.
Rovers lost in the First Round of the Carabao Cup last term, falling to a 2-0 defeat away to Cardiff City.
Cambridge were defeated 3-2 by Swindon Town in their previous outing in Sky Bet League Two, going ahead inside four minutes through James Brophy before goals from Aaron Drinan, Harry Smith, and Darren Oldaker gave the Robins a comfortable advantage.
Tickets...
Tickets are still available for the fixture and are available here!
Opposition...
Cambridge were relegated from Sky Bet League One last term in their fourth successive campaign in the third tier. However, they have had a busy transfer window under head coach Neil Harris.
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who made 27 appearances in the Premier League for Luton Town in the 2023/24 season, headlines their incomings, with the U's also adding other players from higher leagues to bolster their squad.
Midfielder Dominic Ball and defender Ben Purrington have joined from Leyton Orient and Exeter City, respectively, after making a combined 52 appearances in Sky Bet League One last term. Striker Louis Appéré also moved from Stevenage and Zak Bradshaw from Lincoln, with the latter of the duo playing on loan at Tranmere Rovers last term.
Cambridge were also knocked out in the first round of the Carabao Cup last term, losing 2-1 to Queens Park Rangers. The U's best run in the competition was when they reached the quarter-final stage in the 1992/93 season, where they lost 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers.
Previous Meetings...
Rovers have an impressive record against Cambridge, winning eight of their nine previous fixtures against the U's. The Pirates won home and away against their upcoming opponents last season, with Omochere netting a brace at The Mem in a 2-0 victory before Luke Thomas scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at Cledara Abbey Stadium.
In that run of fixtures, the Pirates beat Cambridge 4-1 in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Billy Bodin hit a brace alongside goals from Ellis Harrison and Liam Sercombe.
Cambridge's only win in that time was a 2-0 victory at their home, with Fejiri Okenabirhie and Sullay Kaikai scoring in the latter stages.
Match Officials...
Referee: Oliver Mackey
Assistant Referee: Michael Webb and Harley Hetherington
Fourth Official: Steven Plane
