Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Carlisle United - prediction, team news, lineups

At risk of relegation from League Two this weekend, second-from-bottom Carlisle United will travel to take on Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road on Saturday.

The Robins will be looking to make it four games unbeaten, while the Cumbrians will be aiming for their fourth win from their last five.

Match preview

© Imago

Michael Flynn's Cheltenham may be stranded in mid-table as the season draws to a close, but having ended a disappointing four-match losing streak by taking seven points from their last three fixtures, they will be keen to finish the campaign in strong fashion.

On Monday, the Robins came from behind to beat promotion-chasing Notts County 2-1 on the road thanks to a leveller from Jordan Thomas 15 minutes from time and a memorable 89th-minute winner from Ethon Archer.

Earning three points at Meadow Lane has left Flynn's side 16th with 57 points, but with two games remaining, they are unlikely to make the top half given that 12th-placed Bromley are five ahead.

Additionally, considering that the hosts have not won any of their last six at Whaddon Road - a spell that includes three losses and three draws - and have not kept a home clean sheet since February 1, their slim chances of a top-half finish seem destined to be wiped out this weekend.

However, should Cheltenham seize their first home victory since a 3-2 triumph over Barrow on February 15, then they could go level on 60 points with 13th-placed Swindon Town ahead of the final matchday.

© Imago

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes's Carlisle have been in inspired form in recent weeks, and having been dead last prior to the Welsh legend's arrival, they are still in the fight for survival after taking 10 points from their last four games.

Last time out, the Cumbrians followed up their impressive 3-2 win over second-placed Port Vale by drawing with 21st-placed Accrington Stanley, and the boss will be frustrated that his team were unable to make the most of the fact that they had four times as many shots on target as their opponents, despite them showing great character to score a stoppage-time equaliser.

Dropping two points has left Hughes's men in a precarious position, as they could be relegated this weekend considering that 22nd-placed Tranmere Rovers are four points ahead with just two games to play.

If their rivals win their clash against Crewe Alexandra, then Saturday's visitors will be demoted regardless of this result, but after taking four points from their last two on the road, they will be determined to give themselves a fighting chance with a win.

A fourth victory from five games could move Carlisle to within one point of safety ahead of the fourth tier's final matchday, but a draw would demand that Rovers drop points against Crewe, and defeat would condemn the Cumbrians to the National League.

Team News

© Imago

Cheltenham centre-backs Sam Stubbs and Tom Bradbury will have their work cut out for them trying to keep a determined side at bay, and the duo will be shielded by Liam Kinsella and Timothee Dieng from the base of midfield.

In front of them should be an attacking trio of Jordan Thomas, Tommy Blackwell and Ethon Archer, while striker George Miller acts as a focal point for the team.

As for Carlisle, Callum Whelan, who netted the equaliser against Accrington, will start beside Sean Fusire and Kadeem Harris in Hughes's midfield, while Stephen Wearne operates just behind the strikers.

Full-backs Jack Ellis and Cameron Harper should provide width with their overlapping runs, and support the duo of Georgie Kelly and Joe Hugill up top.

Captain Terell Thomas will be charged with marshalling the backline alongside fellow centre-back Aaron Hayden, and the pair will protect Gabriel Breeze between the sticks.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup: Day; Jude-Boyd, Stubbs, Bradbury, Haynes; Kinsella, Dieng; Thomas, Blackwell, Archer; Miller

Carlisle United possible starting lineup: Breeze; Ellis, Hayden, Thomas, Harper; Fusire, Whelan, Harris; Wearne; Kelly, Hugill

We say: Cheltenham Town 1-2 Carlisle United

Cheltenham may have bounced back from a difficult spell with some commendable results, but Carlisle are in better form despite the disparity in league position.

Additionally, the hosts have been particularly poor at home, while the visitors will be under immense pressure with the threat of relegation looming and will be motivated for every duel.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.