Carlisle vs Swindon Predictions

• Carlisle conceded at least 1 goal in each of their last 7 matches.
• Carlisle have scored 2 goals or more in each of their last 3 matches.
• Swindon Town have scored in 87% of their away matches.

A purple patch

It has been a difficult season for Carlisle United so far this term as, despite hopes for a tilt at the end of season play-offs, things have not quite gone to plan and the Cumbrians are closer to the bottom of the table than they are the top. Due to Bury’s expulsion from the Football League, the threat of relegation is not quite as large but Carlisle will still be looking ahead rather than below and will be determined to put as many points on the board as possible.

Thankfully for the hosts, things have picked up of late and they come into this weekend’s match having claimed two wins and two draws from their last four outings. Whilst a major disappointment for the Cumbrians is their goal return, that is also something which has been address recently too as they have scored nine times in those same four matches.

A returning hero

Eoin Doyle thought he marked his Swindon Town return with a goal last weekend as the League Two leaders beat promotion hopefuls Exeter City at the County Ground. A cagey opening period had its first breakthrough after 20 minutes when Michael Doughty’s corner was diverted in, with Doyle credited with getting the final touch, albeit with the goal taken away from him and credited as an own goal.

The Irishman spent the first half of the campaign on loan at the Robins before being recalled by Bradford at the start of the month, but Swindon reacted quickly and signed the man who scored 23 goals in 22 games for an undisclosed fee. The signing has made a lot of sense, and backing him to boost that tally this weekend is another thing which looks to make a lot of sense too.

Goals is the way to go

With the hosts improving in recent outings and the league leaders needing three points to keep their rivals at bay, it seems obvious that both sides will be thinking that they have the capabilities of getting the win. This should bring with it an open and attacking match, and given that both teams have scored in six of Carlisle’s last seven matches and both teams have scored in 60% of Swindon’s away matches, backing both teams to score this time around looks to be the way to go.

In terms of a correct score tip, we think that there will be plenty of entertainment and goals at both ends of the pitch. The hosts have found some form in front of goal and have scored two or more goals in each of their last three matches, but they still look vulnerable at the other end. With the visitors scoring an average of 1.73 goals per game on the road, backing a 2-2 draw looks a solid bet.