Carlisle United host Charlton Athletic at Brunton Park this Saturday in a big weekend of League One football. Charlton are in the tight mid table and need a win to get nearer to the Play-offs whereas Carlisle are in the relegation zone looking for a win to climb out of the drop zone.
Carlisle currently sit 22nd in League One after 17 games. The Cumbrians have three wins, five losses and nine losses, leaving them on 14 points, just two points from safety. However, all of the teams around them have a game in hand.
In their last five games in all competitions, Carlisle have two wins and three losses. Mark Helm opened the scoring for Burton in the first half, but goals from Jordan Gibson and Joe Garner in the second half gave Carlisle the 2 - 1 win. Carlisle slumped to a 1 - 0 loss with just nine men on the field. George Thomas scored the only goal of the game to give Cambridge the 1 - 0 win as Jack Armer and Alfie McCalmont were sent off for Carlisle.
In the First round of the FA Cup saw Carlisle take on Leyton Orient. A penalty from Joe Pigott gave Orient the opening goal, but Garner equalised early into the second half. However, Aaron Drinan and Ruel Sotiriou both scored to give Orient the 3 - 1 win. Despite being down to ten men due to Tristan Crama’s red card, an own goal from Samuel Lavelle gave Bristol Rovers the 1 - 0 win.
The last time out for Carlisle was against Harrogate Town in the Football League Trophy. Gibson scored both goals as Carlisle won 2 - 0 despite having just 43% of the possession.
Charlton, on the other hand, sit 11th. In 16 games, Charlton have six wins, four draws and six losses which leaves them on 22 points, just five points behind the final Play-off place.
In their last five games in all competitions, Charlton have three wins and two draws. Alfie May grabbed a first half brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Corey Blackett-Taylor to give Charlton the 3 - 0 lead going into halftime. Thelo Aasgaard and Stephen Humphrys both scored late on but Charlton held on for a 3 - 2 win. In the First round of the FA Cup, Charlton hosted Cray Valley. Scott Fraser opened the scoring for Charlton but an own goal from Lucas Ness meant the game finished 1 - 1.
Another draw came against Portsmouth. Abu Kamara opened the scoring for Portsmouth and Charlton only responded through May later in the second half. A Colby Bishop penalty put Portsmouth back ahead but a goal from Conor McGrandles in the 93rd minute grabbed a 2 - 2 draw for Charlton. In the First round replay, Charlton thrashed Cray Valley. May grabbed a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Miles Leaburn, George Dobson, Tyreece Campbell and Micah Mbick.
The most recent outing for Charlton was against Sutton United in the Football League Trophy. Blackett-Taylor, McGrandles and May all scored in the 3 - 0 win for Charlton.
Carlisle and Charlton have met just 39 times with the first meeting was back in 1965. Charlton have a much better record in the fixture with 19 wins in comparison to Carlisle’s eight wins, with a draw being more likely than a Carlisle win, happening on 12 occasions.