Carlisle vs Cambridge United Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

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Brunton Park

Carlisle

Cambridge United

8/11odds when tipped

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9/1odds when tipped

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Carlisle United were one of three teams in League Two to sack their manager last week but they have little time to lick their wounds as the football schedule keeps on rolling. This weekend they welcome a Cambridge United side to Cumbria with both sides in need of three points in order to bolster their slowing play-off credentials.

Former boss Steven Pressley had just 10 months in charge of the League Two club and he leaves the Cumbrians in 19th position in the fourth tier, although the sacking may have come as a bit of a surprise given that he had led his side to two wins in their past three games in all competitions. The 46-year-old left after the 3-1 Leasing.com Trophy loss at Morecambe, having beaten non-league Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup and Macclesfield Town the week before.

Life without their boss did not exactly get off to the best of starts though as they came undone against an in form Port Vale last time out. That was despite a very early goal to settle any nerves, so clearly there are still plenty of frailties at the back. The hosts have conceded in each of their last seven home matches and 78% of their home matches overall, however, 61% of their points have come at home so they should expect a strong showing this weekend.

Making the trip to Brunton Park is a Cambridge United side who also have plenty of issues to address if they wish to climb the table. The visitors have been far from consistent and have failed to win in their last four away matches. It is not as if things are getting any easier either as they have conceded two goals or more in both of their last two away matches.

With neither side at the top of their game at the moment, we cannot make a case for either coming out on top and getting the points. The fact that the hosts have the worst defensive record in League Two at the moment and have conceded in each of their last seven home matches indicates to us that a clean sheet from them is unlikely. However, the visitors are not exactly blessed at the back either, and given that this fixture has also seen both teams score in each of the last four encounters, backing both teams to score appears to be the best opportunity for a decent return.

In terms of the correct score tip, the change in manager should see some sort of bounce occur at some point for the hosts and we think that they should have enough to edge it. The visitors have conceded two or more in their last two away matches and, as we have already discussed, a clean sheet is unlikely for the hosts. With this in mind, we are backing a 2-1 home win.