Carlisle vs Oldham Prediction – Safety is the name of the game in this bottom half clash

Twelve points are all that separate Stevenage at the very bottom of the table from Oldham in sixteenth. As the season draws to a close, everyone between these two could consider themselves not quite safe. Oldham might well have done enough and will almost certainly be playing the league next season, with their game in hand perhaps being the key to their survival. Carlisle, however, are not nearly so safe. Lurking on the precipice of relegation, their game in hand is hardly a banker for points and they will be scrapping to get anything available in order to secure safety. The key to this battle might lie in the tactics. Carlisle have settled into a 3-5-2 formation, with the full backs being the key to their width and the packed midfield designed to wrest control of the game. Against Oldham’s 4-4-1-1, however, they might find this difficult, with Oldham content to sit deep and then overload the winds when they can. With Philliskirk playing off Clarke-Harris, Oldham could well hit Carlisle on the break with force.

Neither team are in particularly excellent form, which is why they find themselves at the bottom of the table. Oldham, however, have strung together several impressive results in recent weeks and have found a way in which they can avoid losing. This has helped lift them up above many of the other relegation candidates and a firm defence could provide the kind of margins which give them the edge in this match.

Carlisle, however, have not enjoyed their recent weeks. A one nil result over Swindon was perhaps their most noticeable set of points earned, and teams above and below them can boast a better recent record. With the available points dwindling at all times, the desperation for a win in any form could encourage a more gung-ho approach from the side, though their defensive record seems to indicate that it will not be built on firm footing.

Team News

Following Joel Byrom’s return from injury, he could well feature in the match, though whether it will be in the starting eleven or from the bench is unclear. The player, on loan from Preston, has been struggling with a hamstring injury since his arrival at the club, but has been available for selection in recent weeks. Defender Kusunga is still likely to be out, while Dayton and MacDonald have been impressing in recent training sessions.

Oldham will be hoping that Miller and Robson’s recent returns from injury will see them back up to full match fitness and could be vital in the closing weeks of the season. The fitness of defender Brown might be unclear after he was replaced in a recent match, while fellow defender O’Hanlon has been known to be facing groin troubles in recent weeks and might not feature.

Carlisle

P43 W11 D11 L21
DWLDL

Predicted Line-Up (3-5-2): Pickford; Chimbonda, Thirlwell, Meppen-Walker; Symington, Potts, Noble, Berrett, Chantler; Amoo, Madine

Oldham

P43 W13 D12 L18
DDWWD

Predicted Line-Up (4-4-1-1): Rachubka; Brown, Lockwood, Wilson, Grounds; Worrall, Wesolowski, Smith, Harkins; Pilliskrirk, Clarke-Harris

Prediction: Carlisle 2 - 2 Oldham

With Carlisle struggling for any sort of points, Oldham might use this opportunity to secure their place in the division once and for all.