COLCHESTER United host Accrington Stanley in their first home League Two game of 2025 this afternoon.

The U's are looking to bounce back from their painful defeat at Swindon Town on New Year’s Day with a win, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

From likely line-ups to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the clash (kick-off 3pm).

Team news

Colchester will be without Ellis Iandolo for today’s clash.

The left-back will serve a one-match ban, following his red card at Swindon, on New Year’s Day.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Lyle Taylor and Owura Edwards are both expected to return to Colchester’s line-up, for the Accrington game after dropping to the bench at Swindon.

Colchester will check on the fitness of Arthur Read (knee), Samson Tovide (hamstring) and Rob Hunt (calf), ahead of today’s game.

Young midfielder Milton Oni remains a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury, in the opening weeks of the season.

Frankie Terry and Alfie Bendle could be in the squad after returning from their loans at Braintree Town and Chelmsford City respectively.

Predicted line-ups:

Colchester United: Macey, Donnelly, Flanagan, Kelleher, Egbo, McDonnell, Bishop, Thorn, Payne, Edwards, Taylor.

Accrington Stanley: Crellin, Aljofree, Awe, Rawson, Martin, Love, Coyle, Woods, Walton, Hunter, Whalley.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Danny Cowley, who celebrates his one-year anniversary as Colchester United head coach today, on facing Accrington after losing at Swindon: “It’s the first time we’ve lost in 12 games.

“We have to take the learning from it, of course.

“I think this one is going to sting, just the way that we’ve lost the game, being the architects of our own downfall.

“But we have to take the learning and we have to move forward.

“We still did a lot right in this game and we have to be intelligent in the way that we analyse the game, take the things that we need to so that we can keep moving forward."

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Head to head

Jamie McDonnell has been in excellent form for Colchester since joining them on loan from Nottingham Forest, in August.

He is set to come up against Ben Woods, who scored twice in Accrington’s 3-2 win over Grimsby Town, on New Year’s Day.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

Opposition view – Accrington boss John Doolan told the club’s website: "Colchester's home form is not too bad, they are a good side, with really good players. We know the job and challenge, and we have to stop them.

"Danny and Nicky (Cowley) have got a good work ethic, they are driven, set their teams up the right way, they are hard-working, and we know we have a battle on the side and on the pitch."

Last meeting

Colchester played out a 1-1 draw with Accrington when the two sides met at the Wham Stadium, back in August.

A late equaliser by substitute Ben Goodliffe secured the U’s an away point, after Kelsey Mooney had given the Reds a first-half lead.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

Referee

Jamie O’Connor is the man in the middle today.

He has presided over 12 games so far this season but only one in the EFL, showing 58 yellow cards and two reds.

Odds

Colchester are 4/5 to beat Accrington today, according to bookmakers Paddy Power.

An Accrington win is viewed as 16/5, with the draw 13/5.

League Two fixtures, today (3pm unless stated): Notts County v Swindon Town (12.30pm), Bradford City v Grimsby Town (1pm), Barrow v Harrogate Town, Colchester United v Accrington Stanley, Doncaster Rovers v Port Vale, Milton Keynes Dons v Salford City, Tranmere Rovers v Carlisle United.