On Wednesday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United welcome Simon Grayson’s Hartlepool United to Brunton Park.
After back-to-back defeats the Cumbrians will be looking to respond in front of their home supporters. Hartlepool have been on a bad run themselves so they will be looking get back on track as well.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
In the last five games Carlisle United have won three and lost two of them. The blues had won four in a row before their recent hammering at the hands of York City and a humbling defeat at home to an excellent Rochdale side last time out at Brunton Park.
In the last five games it’s been a mixed bag for Hartlepool, they have won one, drawn two and lost two in that time. Simon Grayson’s side had gone six games without a win before their win at Gateshead last week and their draw at home to Tamworth last time out.
Players To Watch
Luke Charman
The 27-year-old forward is a player that can play through the middle or out wide of a front three. His runs and ability to run at players will cause the Carlisle defence some problems. Charman has one goal and two assists to his name so far this season in a Hartlepool side that has struggled for goals.
Besart Topalloj
The 24-year-old left-back has been one of the standout performers for Simon Grayson’s side this season. He can get forward and help in attacking areas with dangerous balls in to the box but can also defend very well in a Hartlepool defence that has only bonded five goals so far this season. Topalloj has one goal and one assist to his name so far this season.
Jermaine Francis
The 23-year-old winger will offer pace and trickery going forward for Hartlepool and Carlisle United’s full backs will have to be at their best to keep Francis quiet. The former Braintree and Barnet man is also a full Grenada international and has one goal to his name so far this season but could’ve had more.
Alex Reid
The 30-year-old striker is an experienced goalscorer having scored goals in the EFL for teams such as Oldham and Stevenage as well as goals in the National League for Solihull Moors and Oldham. His ability to hold the ball up and link up play with his fellow forward with cause the Carlisle United defence some real problems if it’s not dealt with. Reid is Hartlepool’s top scorer with three goals so far this season.
Other players to look out for are former Carlisle United players Tom Parkes and Adam Campbell on their return to the club.
My Predicted Carlisle United Starting Eleven
Breeze, Davies, Feeney, Mugabi, Harper, Ellis, Gilliead, Wearne, Luamba, Linney, Armstrong.
After trying five at the back against Rochdale and it failing miserably I think Hughes will revert back to what’s worked well for him the majority of the season so far.
I think he has to drop Terell Thomas after Saturday and keep Morgan Feeney in but I would be surprised if he doesn’t with Thomas being captain.
The team needs width and even though the jury is out with Junior Luamba and David Ajiboye one of them has to play at home to give us that added width and pace.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 1-1 Hartlepool United
I think it’s a must win game for the blues but Hartlepool have a strong defence and will come with a clear game plan and it will be up to us to break them down.
Hartlepool have threats up top as well that could hurt us in defence so I expect this to be a close and hard fought game.
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