The Build-up: Carlisle vs. Notts

Notts could go as high as ninth in League Two and a solitary point off the playoffs if they win away at Carlisle United and results go their way – a victory would put us on 32 points.

The Cumbrians, meanwhile, are just within the top seven, but with four teams – Mansfield, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient and Wycombe – just three points or less behind them, they could be slip out.

Today’s other League Two fixtures (all 15:00 kickoffs):

· Barnet v Crawley
· Cambridge Utd v Mansfield
· Dag & Red v Bristol Rovers
· Exeter v Luton
· Hartlepool v Plymouth
· Leyton Orient v Yeovil
· Newport v AFC Wimbledon
· Northampton v Portsmouth
· Stevenage v Accrington
· Wycombe v Oxford Utd
· York City v Morecambe

Prediction:

Carlisle are in great form at the minute – they are unbeaten in five, with three wins and two draws, and in their three victories they scored 12 goals. Notts have stopped the rot somewhat with a 2-2 away draw at Wycombe and a 4-3 home win against Newport, but the defence remains shaky. A draw would be a good result for Notts in my opinion, though there is the chance that the Cumbrians may not be at full focus as the game is being played on neutral ground, at Preston’s Deepdale stadium.

Match odds:

Home 11/8 Draw 13/5 Away 7/4

Head to head:

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on just 28 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians. Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 9, with just 3 draws.
Our last meeting was on 22 March 2014, with Notts clinching a 4-1 win at Meadow Lane in League One. The Cumbrians were relegated at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Key man:

Wycombe: Jabo Ibehre has been on fire since joining Carlisle on a free transfer in the summer, following his release from Colchester. The 32-year-old is in the form of his life, having scored 10 goals in just 13 games, and with a strong build and 15 years’ experience, he could test the shaky Notts defence on Saturday.

Notts: Adam Campbell has really come into his own in the last few games, with wonderful performances in midfield against both Newport and Wycombe. With the mercurial Liam Noble ruled out for four games due to his suspension, Campbell will be relied upon more than ever to control the game in the middle of the park and help launch attacks into the final third.