Cambridge excited by 'free hit' against Birmingham

On the face of it, there are not a lot of similarities between Cambridge United and Birmingham City as they prepare for their first ever FA Cup meeting.

Both clubs have US ownership and have had a documentary series made about them - Cambridge: A United Story and Built In Birmingham: Brady and the Blues.

But in truth, they are worlds apart.

Birmingham are casting aspirational glances towards the Premier League following last season's promotion back to the Championship and have unveiled plans for a new 62,000 seater Powerhouse stadium as part of a £3bn investment by Tom Wagner.

Cambridge, by contrast, are looking for fresh sources of finance after putting plans to redevelop their modest 7,900 capacity Cledara Abbey Stadium on hold.

The U's, though are on a 10-match unbeaten run in League Two, which has given fans hope of an upset win over Blues, despite the vast financial gulf and the 40 places separating them in the EFL pyramid.

The game is, however, subject to a 12:00 GMT pitch inspection on Saturday.

"What a great occasion for us - a team that quite bizarrely we played only a few months ago when they were winning the league and we were getting relegated," boss Neil Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"Now, mid-table Championship team to top League Two team, it seems a quite long way apart."

Cambridge have a good FA Cup pedigree, reaching the quarter-final in successive seasons in 1989 and 1990, taking Manchester United to a fourth-round replay in 2015 and beating Newcastle United in the third round in 2021-22.

They also made the fourth round a year ago before losing 5-2 to Blackburn Rovers and knocked out League One side Stockport County in a penalty shootout last month, which earned them the reward of a home tie against Birmingham.

The U's gave a good account of themselves when they met Blues in the league last May, going down 2-1 following a late own goal by Kell Watts, who signed a new contract with the club on Thursday.

"Birmingham showcased themselves brilliantly as a team, as they had done all season, and we showed what we hopefully were going to mould into, a really aggressive, competitive side," Harris added.

"I think we've shown that against Luton [EFL Trophy], Fulham, Charlton [League Cup] and Stockport this year - good sides - and we'll be looking to do the same against Birmingham."

Harris played for Millwall against Birmingham in the FA Cup in 2011 - a game the Lions lost 4-1 - and believes the visitors will pose a big test no matter which players opposite number Chris Davies sends out in his starting 11.

"We know whatever side Chris decides to pick - there's going to be an array of talent, an expensively assembled team, and we'll be fully prepared for it," Harris added.

"Ultimately, it's a free hit for us, just to go and enjoy ourselves and what's what we're going to do."

Birmingham travel to the Abbey Stadium buoyed by their first win in eight games.

It was quite a victory too - a 3-2 humdinger against Championship leaders Coventry City - and will inject plenty of confidence that they can maintain their recent habit of reaching the fourth round, which they have done for the past three seasons.

Boss Davies will also see the tie as a chance to chalk up an away win - something Blues have managed only twice in the league this term, the last at Preston in late October.

Recent history bodes well - Birmingham have progressed from 15 of their past 17 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, only failing against Huddersfield Town in 2007-08 and Plymouth Argyle in 2021-22.

Blues also beat the U's twice in League One last season - including the win on the final day - on their record-breaking way to promotion.

Davies says their latest meeting will be another competitive encounter.

"It will be very similar [to the games in League One]. Neil's done a good job there and they've been strong in League Two," he told BBC Radio WM.

"From what I've seen they're one of the best defensive teams in League Two - they don't give a lot away, are physical and last season you could see what sort of team they would develop into and they are that now.

"We've been here many times with these games that you're expected to go and get a result but it's not always straightforward.

"We need to improve away from home - so we've got an opportunity to win a match. We need to try to build on the momentum we've created."

Cambridge's game against Grimsby Town last Saturday was postponed because of a frozen pitch, the first time one of their home games had been called off since 2010.

Groundstaff have been taking "every precaution" this week in the hope of ensuring the Birmingham tie can go ahead, but Harris - who regards the FA Cup as the best club knockout competition in the world - believes the playing surface could prove to be a leveller.

"I'm sure it will be difficult conditions on the day, freezing cold, possibly hammering down with rain and the pitch could be awkward," he said.

"We have to use every avenue to our advantage and it's a great opportunity for my squad to turn up on Saturday in front of live TV cameras and have a right go at a top, top side."

It could be a very special occasion for Cambridge captain Michael Morrison, who has had two extended spells out this season because of a bruised lung and a hamstring injury, but is now fit to return to action against one of his former clubs.

"Michael might be the one that comes back into the group, his connection to Birmingham is very strong," Harris added.

"Michael was fit over the new year period and possibly would have come back in against Grimsby if the game had been on, so we'll see."