Games between the two clubs last season were memorable for the tense and incident packed round two F.A. Cup matches, that had to be eventually decided on penalties for the Silkmen. The two games saw two Macclesfield players sent off and Steve Wilson make a number of penalty saves. In the League, it was much more sedate as the U's won both the matches and the six points helped them to a mid-table finish after a flirt with relegation that saw manager John Taylor sacked with nine games to go. His replacement, former Cameroon and Senegal coach Claude le Roy was soon moved up to director of football and his number two, Herve Renhard took over.
This season, Cambridge find themselves at the lower end of the table, one place above the relegation zone and could do with a lift. The Moss Rose may be the place to provide it as the Silkmen have stumbled repeatedly this season against clubs in a similar position, after failing to convert chances. The U's top scorer currently is Jermaine Easter on four goals who signed on a free from Hartlepool United at the start of the season after a spell on loan last season. The U's squad includes ex-Silkman Stuart Bimson, although his only appearances this season has been on loan at Accrington Stanley. (Who are they?)