Carlisle vs Northampton Predictions

• Carlisle recently followed up an eight-game winless run with three straight wins.
• Northampton failed to win five of their last six away games.
• Each of Northampton’s last five away league games produced under 1.5 goals.

Have Carlisle turned the corner?

While they were amongst the pre-season favourites for promotion, Carlisle’s 2021/22 campaign has not justified the prices on the early tissue at all. However, their third straight league win last time out confirmed that they head into this round on the longest current winning run in League Two.

Those wins haven’t been flukes either, they took a lead before half-time in two while coming from behind to grind out a win last time out, suggesting they have got what it takes to ultimately claw their way out of danger and potentially further up the table.

It is tight at the top

Just six points separate second-placed Northampton from ninth place ahead of this round of games, which serves to add a ‘cup final’ feeling to every game from here until the end of the season.

That wouldn’t have been the case if Northampton didn’t stutter across the last four rounds (W1, D2, L1), while their away form leaves much to be desired as they failed to even get on the scoresheet in four of the last five away rounds.

At the prices, I think it is worth taking on the favourites in the ‘draw no bet’ market, so I am siding with lowly Carlisle to spring an upset but insuring against a potential 0-0 draw, a common scoreline for Northampton when playing away of late.