League Two action returns this weekend and Carlisle United will welcome Salford City to Brunton Park as both teams look to climb the table.
With each club having only won a single fixture in the division so far, there are major improvements to be made if hopes of promotion are to be fulfilled.
Match preview
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Carlisle United were able to pick up a much-needed victory during the week in the EFL Trophy against Hartlepool United, with a six-goal thriller having to be decided by penalties after the game ended 3-3.
However, despite the victory, the game continued to raise concerns for Chris Beech as his squad conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes to let a 3-1 lead slip away.
Carlisle have only managed to keep two clean sheets in their opening seven fixtures of the season in all competitions, but outside of their most recent outing, they have also failed to score more than once in a game as well.
After missing out on the playoffs by seven points last season, Beech had hoped his team would kick on in the new campaign, but the Blues find themselves mid-table currently, although they have only lost once in the league this season.
The problem for Carlisle has been finding the ruthless edge to finish games, having picked up three draws in the opening five fixtures, but Beech's men are currently undefeated at Brunton Park this season, proving to be resilient in front of their own fans.
Last season the Blues took four points away from Salford City, with a 2-1 victory in this tie and then a 1-1 draw away from home, and a similar result would be welcome this weekend.
While Carlisle came close to the playoffs in the previous campaign, the Ammies missed out by an even smaller margin of just two points, which left the season ending in disappointment.
Unlike their opponents, Salford were not able to pick up a victory in the EFL Trophy, having been beaten 1-0 by Oldham Athletic with former defender Carl Piergianni scoring past his old team.
Gary Bowyer's squad did earn their first three points of the season in their most recent league outing though, with three goals in the opening 30 minutes being enough to defeat Newport County.
The Ammies now have the chance to build on that and potentially overtake Carlisle in the league with a victory, as the Manchester-based club looks to begin their season and climb out of the bottom half of the division.
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Team News
Tristan Abrahams has started the season impressively for Carlisle and scored once again during the recent victory against Hartlepool which should see him return to the starting lineup.
Taylor Charters also found the back of the net in that game, scoring his first goal for the club, with the home-grown midfielder now hoping to kick on with his career.
Zach Clough was used from the bench in the EFL Trophy as the new signing continues to look for full fitness, but the Blues were also able to bring in two new players on transfer deadline day.
Experienced defender Kelvin Mellor signed a one-year deal to join Carlisle, while the club also secured Jonathan Dinzeyi on loan from Arsenal; both could be in contention to play on Saturday.
Bowyer also brought in plenty of fresh faces late on in the transfer market and there could be the chance to showcase some of his new talent on Saturday.
D'Mani Mellor was signed by the club on loan from Manchester United to bolster Salford's attacking options, but with veteran striker Ian Henderson finding the back of the net in his last appearance, he may retain his place in the starting lineup.
The Ammies also brought in two new defenders recently, as former Shrewsbury Town player Donald Love joined on a one-year deal, and Hull City's Andy Smith also signed on a loan for the season.
Kelly N'Mai impressed during the recent defeat against Oldham, causing problems down the wing as he linked up well which could see him retain his place in the team.
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Norman; Tanner, Whelan, Mellor, McDonald, Armer; Guy, Riley, Mellish; Abrahams, Clough
Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Shephard, Love, Eastham, Touray; Lund, Lowe, Morris, McAleny, N'Mai; Henderson
We say: Carlisle United 1-0 Salford City
Neither team have set League Two alight yet and both have struggled to score, which is why this fixture will likely be decided by just one goal.
However, Carlisle have been slightly stronger in the early parts of the season and could just have enough quality to edge a victory here, especially with the home advantage.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Salford City win with a probability of 36%. A win for Carlisle United had a probability of 34.11% and a draw had a probability of 29.9%.
The most likely scoreline for a Salford City win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.03%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (7.23%) and 0-2 (6.99%). The likeliest Carlisle United win was 1-0 (12.58%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.49%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with a 7% likelihood.
