Barnet travel to Cambridge United tomorrow afternoon in the first round of the Carabao Cup, giving both clubs an early competitive test as the new season gets going.
For Barnet, it is their first competitive game after promotion out of the National League last season. For Cambridge United, it is another chance to build momentum after returning to League One following one season in League Two.
Neil Harris faces Barnet again
Cambridge United manager Neil Harris knows the opposition well. He first took charge of Cambridge United in December 2023, left after 14 games to join Millwall, and then returned in February 2025 when the club sat bottom of League One.
After the 2025/26 campaign concluded, Harris welcomed seven new faces to the squad, as Cambridge United continued to reshape the group around him. That turnover adds extra importance to an early cup tie, especially with the season still in its opening stages.
One of those changes was Callum Stead, who joined Cambridge United from Barnet in July. His move adds another layer to the meeting, even if the focus now shifts quickly to the competition itself.
Recent meetings point to a tight contest
Barnet and Cambridge United met twice in league action last season, and the results suggest there is little to separate them. Barnet scored once across the two games, while Cambridge United failed to score in either match.
That history will give Barnet some belief, although cup football often brings a different rhythm and a different set of demands. Barnet also arrive having played nine pre-season friendlies over the past six weeks, so they should at least be match-sharp.
Cambridge United will also want a sharper start after a serious injury to Callum Stead in their first pre-season outing. With 11 new additions across the wider rebuild and a competitive fixture now here, Harris and his side will be looking for a clean first step.
What comes next
For Barnet, the trip to Cledara Abbey Stadium is an immediate chance to see how a promoted side handles a league team on the road. Their previous cup exit came against Newport County in the preliminary round on penalties, so a run into the main draw would already mark progress.
For Cambridge United, this is about setting a tone. A first-round win would give Harris and his squad a useful platform before attention turns back to league matters.
