Carlisle vs Yeovil Town Predictions

Carlisle gained an impressive point during midweek, drawing 2-2 away at league leaders Lincoln City. The team took the initiative to Lincoln, taking the lead twice in a thrilling first-half performance. Ashley Nadesan got both goals and Carlisle looked good value, continuing to threaten Lincoln in the second half but ultimately a draw was the fair result. However, it can still be seen as a point gained for this Carlisle side.

The match against Lincoln was a return to form for Carlisle, who had lost their last two league matches against struggling teams. They gave Macclesfield their first win of the season, in a 2-1 defeat away from home. Carlisle had taken the lead through another goal by Ashley Nadesan but were pegged back and lost the match by conceding two late goals.

The result followed on from an embarrassing 2-0 home loss to Morecambe, who were the better side from start to finish and carried on what has been a dreadful run of form at home for Carlisle. The Morecambe loss represented their fourth league home loss without scoring a goal, having also lost to Grimsby, Stevenage, and Tranmere in succession. It has meant they are in midtable rather than in the play-offs, because they look a different side away from home.

On the road, apart from the Macclesfield loss, Carlisle drew with Lincoln and beat Bury and Oldham. These were all tough ground to go to but Carlisle showed resilience and dynamism to get three points against these teams, yet at home they look far more reserved. The hope for John Sheridan’s side is that the performance against Lincoln can inspire them to replicate it at home.

Yeovil also drew in midweek, as they tied with Crewe at home in a 1-1 game. Yeovil continued to look below-par and Crewe deserved to take the lead through Jordan Bowery in the first half. Alex Fisher responded with an equaliser ten minutes later but neither side could find a way through. Yeovil showed some good attacking prowess in the second half but could not finish their chances and continue their slide away from the play-offs.

It meant that Yeovil have not won a league match in seven games now, since that 6-0 win away at Newport. In the time between, they have been well beaten by Colchester and Crawley away from home, as well as Swindon at home, whilst have drawn with MK Dons, Exeter and Tranmere. The draws with strong teams in the division show Yeovil can compete but the losses exposed the problems Yeovil have in their quest to make the play-offs.

The squad has been ravaged by injuries and it can be argued they have taken their toll. Both captains have been injured, as have two of their primary strikers. This means the leadership and attacking aspects of the team are sorely lacking and they do not have the same drive that they did earlier in the season, which produced those wins against Newport and the 4-0 away one at Notts County.

However, we think they can score here against Carlisle, who look a different team at home and allow teams to take the game to them. Yeovil can utilise this and get a goal in this game, despite their own mixed form. We also back Carlisle to score their first league goal in five matches as well, given the confidence that performance against Lincoln will bring. In terms of a correct result, we think this match will end in a 1-1 draw. Carlisle haven’t won at home in a while and it could take a few more games for them to build up their confidence playing there, whilst Yeovil have not looked strong enough to win away in their last few matches.