On Saturday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United welcome Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers to Brunton Park in a game that sees the second and third place sides in the National League go head-to-head.
Both teams have had good starts to the season and have 29 points from their first 14 games so this promises to be a very tight game with two evenly matched sides.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
In their last five National League games the Cumbrians have had a run of tough fixtures and have won three and lost two in that time. The blues have beaten Altrincham, Hartlepool and Scunthorpe but lost to York and Rochdale. Last time out in the FA Cup, Carlisle United beat fellow National League side Boston United 5-2 at Brunton Park.
In their last five National League games Forest Green have won two, drawn two and lost one in that time. Robbie Savage’s side beat Woking and Altrincham before drawing with York and Boston and then losing their unbeaten run at home to Rochdale. Last time out in the FA Cup, Forest Green Rovers beat Worthing 4-1 away from home.
Players To Watch
Kairo Mitchell
The 27-year-old Grenada international is one of Forest Green’s main attacking threats and his movement up top with cause the Carlisle defence a lot of problems I’m sure. The striker will lead the line for Forest Green but will interchange with the other attackers to keep the defence guessing. Mitchell has four goals and two assists to his name so far this season.
Nick Haughton
The 31-year-old attacking midfielder is and has been one of the best players in the National League in recent years. Haughton’s time at AFC Fylde and the goals he scored there meant he was highly touted after their relation and he joined Forest Green in the summer. Haughton can score a variety of goals and can make that defence splitting pass if given the opportunity. The midfielder may not start and has been coming off the bench a lot this season but what an option to have for Robbie Savage.
Tom Knowles
The 27-year-old can play up top, out wide or even in midfield for Forest Green and has been one of the standout performers so far this season. His versatility will see him interchange with players like Mitchell regularly to keep the Carlisle defence guessing. Knowles has lots of experience having played for Yeovil and Walsall and has an eye for goal, he had five goals and two assists to his name so far this season.
Laurent Mendy
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder has been a mainstay in Robbie Savage’s teams, Mendy played an integral role at Macclesfield before joining Savage at Forest Green in the summer and he has played every minute of every National League game so far this season. Mendy will look to dictate the game from midfield, he will look to break up Carlisle attacks and distribute to their more creative players. Whoever wins the midfield battle between Laurent Mendy and Jack Ellis could be the difference on the day.
My Predicted Carlisle United Starting Eleven
Breeze, Davies, Feeney, Hayden, Harper, Ellis, Gilliead, Conn-Clarke, Ajiboye, Linney, Kelly.
At this point the Carlisle United team picks itself when everyone is fit, there’s a couple of areas on the pitch that you could argue isn’t set in stone and one is in central defence and the other is up front.
At the back it will depend on fitness but I think Hughes will go with stick with Morgan Feeney and Aaron Hayden who have played well together in recent weeks. Up front it always depends on if Georgie Kelly can remain fit but if he’s fit and firing I think he starts just ahead of Luke Armstrong.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 2-2 Forest Green Rovers
I’m expecting a close game here with two sides that score goals and try to play good football. Both sides will want to attack and that could leave space in midfield and at the back for both teams to exploit so I think there will be goals.
Forest Green have had a habit of late goals this season so Carlisle will have to be on guard from minute one to minute ninety with no lapses in concentration like we have seen this season.
Both teams have such strength in depth especially in the attacking areas I think it’s going to be an entertaining high quality, high scoring draw between two good teams.
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