Stat Attack: Notts County v Carlisle United

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on just 27 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won by the Cumbrians 2-0. Out of those, the Magpies have won 15 and lost 9, with just 3 draws.

Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek.

(Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however)

The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were sadly relegated at the end of the season though.

Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.

Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011. They have also

Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.

Notts County have new loan signing Josh Vela available but are again without centre-half and captain Dean Leacock.

Leacock suffered a thigh injury in the defeat against MK Dons earlier this month and is still not fit, so Haydn Hollis is likely to keep his place.

Sean O'Hanlon is back in training for Carlisle United, but boss Graham Kavanagh is cautious about the defender's chances.

Pascal Chimbonda is unlikely to be fit, while Liam Noble is out for the season.