Last-placed Carlisle United are aiming to bring Shrewsbury Town closer to the relegation zone this weekend with a rare victory for the Cumbrians with the club all but relegated back to League Two already.
Although they are not mathematically down and out with nine games left to play, Carlisle are adrift of safety by 10 points. This also sees just 27 points left to play for, and it could mean Carlisle may be relegated as early as gameweek 42 if things do not change.
There are just five wins on the board for the Cumbrians and the club have also scored just 24 goals so far. Their most recent win came away to Burton Albion thanks to a finish from Paul Huntington.
Losses to Reading, Charlton Athletic and Barnsley have all come in since then, while further defeats in 2024 against Portsmouth, Barnsley again, Leyton Orient, Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Oxford United and Exeter City mean just two wins in 2024 so far.
The other victory came against fellow strugglers Port Vale with a finish each from Jordan Gibson from the penalty spot and a goal from Jon James Alexander Mellish. Although this puts them as one of the worst teams across all of the Football League in terms of form this year so far, the likes of Vale and Fleetwood Town just above them are not exactly doing much better. On the other hand, Carlisle have also played an extra game than Port Vale, meaning the gap on them in 23rd could be extended to 13 points soon.
As for Shrewsbury, it's been another mediocre season for them. The club are priced at EVENS to win this game, however, and they are also above the bottom three by eight points. The club are on a much better run than Carlisle right now as well, winning two of their last five games.
Salop have gone on to defeat Port Vale last weekend with a goal each from Tom Bloxham and Daniel Udoh, as they also managed to win on the road against Reading, as Tom Bayliss, Bloxham and Jordan Shipley all scored a goal each.