Stevenage vs Colchester United. Sky Bet League Two.
Lamex StadiumAttendance2,763.
Friday 5 October 2018 17:11, UK
Stevenage boss Dino Maamria must cope without young defender Luther James-Wildin for the Sky Bet League Two clash with Colchester.
James-Wildin was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the midweek defeat at Exeter.
James Ball is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after having to settle for a place on the bench in midweek following his return from injury. Former Colchester star Kurtis Guthrie is also hoping to land a starting berth as Maamria looks to freshen up his side.
Colchester boss John McGreal faces a selection dilemma ahead of the trip to Hertfordshire. Centre-back Frankie Kent is likely to be fit to return from injury after missing the midweek win over Yeovil.
But McGreal is expected to keep faith in Tom Eastman, who has impressed since coming in to replace Kent and scored a goal in the 3-1 win. McGreal was also boosted by the return of Tom Lapslie following knee surgery, and he is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up.
Since beating Colchester 6-1 in their first ever meeting in the Football League in December 2011, Stevenage have gone nine league games without a win over the U's (D2 L7), scoring just five goals - their longest ever run without a win against any side in the EFL.
Colchester have never lost away at Stevenage in the EFL (W4 D1), winning their last four visits in succession.
Stevenage have won each of their last two league games on home soil without conceding - the last time they won three consecutive league games at the Lamex Stadium without conceding was back in April 2017.
Colchester have started a Football League campaign with no defeats from their opening five away league games for the third time in their history (also 1961/62 and 2010/11) - only once have they avoided defeat in their opening six away games to a Football League season (2010/11 - unbeaten in their opening seven on the road).
Colchester have used just 17 players in League Two so far this season, a league-low alongside Forest Green Rovers.
