On Wednesday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United side welcome Neale Ardley’s Woking to Brunton Park. This is the reverse fixture of the opening game of the season where the Cumbrians came out victorious 2-0.
Both sides are in excellent form as of late and were both unbeaten throughout November so something will have to give in this game.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Carlisle United haven’t lost a game in the National League since the end of September when they were beaten 2-0 at by Rochdale. Since that defeat the Cumbrians have won seven and drawn two of their last nine National League games.
Last time out, Carlisle were beaten 4-1 by League One side Blackpool in the FA Cup second round.
Woking’s last defeat in all competitions was a heavy 6-2 defeat to Brackley Town in the FA Cup but they haven’t lost in the National League since the end of September when they were beaten 1-0 at high flying Boreham Wood. Since that defeat in the FA Cup Neale Ardley’s side have won six and drawn three of their last nine games.
Last time out, Woking beat strugglers Brackley at home 2-0 thanks to goals from Ollie Sanderson and Josh Kelly.
Previous Meeting
With this being the second game against Woking this season I’m not doing my players to watch like I have for the first half of the season. Instead I’m going to reflect on the previous meeting and where the game was won and lost.
On the opening day of the season Carlisle comfortably came out on top without Woking really laying a glove on them. Woking failed to have a shot on target in the game and lacked real attacking threat.
The Cumbrians struggled early on but once Luke Armstrong opened the scoring after half time they went through the gears. Ethan Robson came of the bench late on and sealed the win with a fantastic free kick.
Woking will want to impose themselves more in this game than they did back in August but Carlisle will be wanting to keep their fantastic form in the National League going with the home advantage.
My Predicted Carlisle United Eleven
Breeze, Williams, Ellis/Feeney, Hayden, Harper, Macadam, Gilliead, Conn-Clarke, Luamba, Linney, Kelly
With some rotation against Blackpool in the FA Cup I expect Mark Hughes to go back to the team that has been so successful in recent weeks. Feeney was ill so he missed the Blackpool game but hopefully he’s back for this one but if not I expect Ellis to continue in defence.
A lot of the Cumbrians’ success this season has been the availability of players and being able to pick unchanged sides or making limited changes to a winning side most weeks so I expect Mark Hughes to try and stick with the eleven that has been doing so well in the league this season.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 1-0 Woking
After being exposed defensively and in midfield against a very clinical Blackpool side the Carlisle defence will want to sure up at the back and make up for the heavy defeat in the FA Cup.
The Cumbrians have had a habit of grinding out results and getting over the line despite not playing particularly well and I think that continues here.
Both sides are in excellent form in the league so I expect a close game with Woking being tough to break down and being fresher having not played in the cup like Carlisle have but I think Carlisle just get over the line here with a late goal.
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