On Saturday, Mark Hughes’ side welcomes fellow title challengers Rochdale to Brunton Park in a clash of two heavy favourites to be promoted this season.
The Cumbrians will be looking to bounce back from their hammering away to York City on Tuesday meanwhile Rochdale will be looking to extend their winning run to six games.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Carlisle United have won four and lost one of their last five games. Last time out they were demolished by an outstanding York City side 5-0 on Tuesday night.
The blues are in third place in the National League with 23 points from 11 games.
For Jim McNulty’s side they have won their last five games. Last time out they beat Solihull Moors comfortably 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Rochdale are in second place in the National League with 24 points from 9 games.
Players To Watch
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe
The experienced striker is one of the best strikers in the league. He has experience of scoring goals at National League level having scored goals for Hartlepool, Halifax and Salford at that level. His ability to hold up the ball, bring players in to play and feed off are two of his biggest assets. The 30-year-old can score a variety of goals and has seven goals in eight appearances so far this season.
Tarryn Allarakhia
The winger will cause Carlisle full backs heaps of problems if he’s at his best. His trickery and ability to whip balls in to the box for the strikers as well as his eye for goal make him vital to Rochdale’s attack. The 27-year-old has one goal and two assists so far this season.
Devante Rodney
The striker links up well with the other Rochdale forwards and has an eye for goal. The 27-year-old has scored goals in the National League and the EFL for teams like Hartlepool, Port Vale and Halifax and if Carlisle can somehow stop Emmanuel Dieseruvwe they will also have to to pay close attention to Devante Rodney as well because he has three goals and two assists so far this season.
Harvey Gilmour
Gilmour is a great technical player and can find that killer pass in key areas if given the chance. The former Sheffield United, Tranmere, Halifax and Stockport man has three assists to his name so far this season and will be looking to provide chances for the Rochdale frontmen once again.
My Predicted Carlisle United Starting Eleven
Breeze, Davies, Thomas, Mugabi, Harper, Ellis, Gilliead, Wearne, Luamba, Linney, Armstrong.
I think Hughes will revert back to playing with a winger after changing it up against York City and seeing the impact that had on the performance.
The team pretty much picks itself under Hughes but I could maybe see Whelan come in to the midfield and maybe Kelly start ahead Armstrong but that’s the only changes I think Hughes could make.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 1-2 Rochdale
I think the it will be interesting to if there is a reaction after the York performance but very much like York – Rochdale are one of the best teams in the league and could expose us in areas similar to how York did.
Rochdale have their big man Mani D back up front as well and he will be a real handful for our defence, I think Rochdale edge this one in a tight game.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
@dan_batemannn
@CraigWL1997
Paddock Perception 
Leave a comment