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

Harrogate Town are scheduled to play host to Carlisle United on Tuesday in the last eight of the Northern section in the EFL Trophy.

Both of these clubs feature in League Two, the home side sitting in the mid-table positions and Carlisle down in 21st position.

Match preview

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In terms of postponements, Harrogate have not experienced the same level of frustration as many of the other clubs in the EFL, their last fixture coming in this competition as recently as December 21.

However, after seeing their Boxing Day outing fail to come to fruition, Harrogate had to cancel their New Year's Day meeting with Port Vale due to a number of coronavirus cases and injuries.

Manager Simon Weaver has insisted that 'it is not rife' within the squad, suggesting that their amount of injuries was ultimately the pivotal factor, but it naturally leaves the game on Tuesday in some doubt.

As it stands, though, Harrogate are looking to build on their triumph last time out as they came from behind to defeat Tranmere Rovers by a 2-1 scoreline at Prenton Park.

That success came on the back of three successive defeats in League Two, and they now sit five points adrift of the playoff positions.

Harrogate have fond recent memories of playing their next opponents with a 2-0 win being recorded away from home on November 23.

Since then, Carlisle have been much improved, claiming a much-needed nine points from four league fixtures to move three points clear of the relegation zone.

While losing at home to Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup was naturally disappointing, Keith Millen can only be left encouraged by the upward trajectory of his new team.

Carlisle ended a three-week absence from action on New Year's Day with a potentially-crucial 1-0 win away at relegation rivals Scunthorpe United, defender Rod McDonald netting the only goal of the game and helping his team to a second successive victory and clean sheet.

The Cumbrians reached this stage of the competition by edging out Lincoln City on penalties in the previous round.

Team News

With Harrogate not disclosing which players have tested positive for coronavirus, it remains unclear which members of the squad will be available for this contest.

Depending on who is in contention, Weaver would not have any qualms in starting with the same team from the Tranmere win, although that was a game where they could only name three substitutes.

Millen made just one substitution during the triumph at Scunthorpe, a sign that he was keen for his players to get 90 minutes into their legs as soon as possible.

However, that may lead to more alterations for this contest with the likes of Magnus Norman, Daniel Devine, Joe Riley and Brad Young potentially getting opportunities on Tuesday.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Oxley; Fallowfield, Sheron, Burrell, Page; Pattison, Falkingham, Kerry; Thomson, Armstrong, Diamond

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Norman; Mellor, Feeney, McDonald, Armer; Gibson, Devine, Riley, Dickenson; Young, Mellish

We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Carlisle United

Match sharpness appears to be everything these days, and that does not play into Harrogate's favour. While Carlisle only have one recent game under their belt, we are backing the visitors to outlast their hosts in the closing stages.