Colchester United vs Carlisle United Prediction

Saturday see’s Colchester United take on a so far unexpectedly poor Carlisle United, who after their relegation from League One last season would have been expected by many to jump straight back up by the end of 2024/25.

However, things have not panned out as expected for the Cumbrians, and they find themselves in 22nd place, hovering just 2 points above the relegation spots.

Colchester have had a more impressive start relative to Carlisle, but they have not broken into the top half of the table yet, something they will see an opportunity to do when Carlisle visit the Colchester Community Stadium.

As the game approaches, here is everything you should know about both sides ahead of kick off.

Key Statistics

• Colchester’s Jack Payne stands second in the assist rankings this season, with four to his name already this season.
• Colchester United lead the way for shots on target per game, averaging 5.2 per 90 minutes.
• Carlisle have conceded the most goals of any team in the League, leaking 19 in 9 games so far.
• Carlisle have won just one of their last 8 competitive games.

Colchester United Preview

Colchester United Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Matt Macey (GK); Ellis Iandolo, Aaron Donnelly, Fiacre Kelleher, Tom Flanagan, Rob Hunt; Jamie McDonnell, Jack Payne, Arthur Read; Lyle Taylor, Samson Tovide.

Since their play-off campaign in the 2019/20 season, Colchester have been on a four year run of insignificant, relegation-threatened finishes, ranging from 15th to 22nd.

Their campaign thus far has been no better, as they currently lie in 15th, in the uppermost echelon of their recent finishes. However, should Colchester beat a sub-par Carlisle, they have the opportunity to re-enter the unfamiliar territory of the top half of the table.

With a talented squad who have goal threats all over the pitch, playing against an in-form Colchester is a nightmare for any League Two opponent. It just depends on how often they are in form.

Carlisle United Preview

Carlisle United Predicted Lineups (4-3-3): Harry Lewis (GK); Cameron Harper, Samuel Lavelle, Ben Barclay, Archie Davies; John Mellish, Dominic Sadi, Dylan McGeouch; Jordan Jones Charlie Wyke, Luke Armstrong.

Carlisle have had a catastrophic return to League Two by anyone’s reckoning. Finishing rock bottom of League One with just 30 points after their play-off promotion run in 2022/23, Carlisle fans would have expected them to automatically assume the title of favorites to go straight back up.

Things couldn’t have diverged further from expectation. After nine games, Carlisle have lost the most of any team in the division, tasting defeat in 7 of them, and winning the other two. In also conceding the most goals of any side, they have looked as far away from promotion candidates as it is possible to be.

While their squad is certainly capable of turning their current rotten form around, there needs to be a significant amount of rethinking. The 10 goals they have scored in the league have been spread between 8 players, implying they lack a reliable, consistent goal threat up front.

Both up top and at the back, Carlisle need a serious rethink.

Colchester United vs Carlisle United Head to Head

Last five meetings:

• 18/02/2023: Carlisle 1-0 Colchester.
• 06/08/2022: Colchester 1-1 Carlisle.
• 12/02/2022: Colchester 2-2 Carlisle.
• 07/08/2021: Carlisle 0-0 Colchester.
• 02/03/2021: Colchester 2-1 Carlisle.

Historical Head to Head - Colchester: 7. Drawn: 8. Carlisle: 7.

Colchester United vs Carlisle United Betting Tip

Bearing in mind both sides recent form, it would seem straightforward to advise backing a Colchester win. However, as a side relegated from League One last campaign, Carlisle will be expected to turn their form around sooner or later and start playing like a team with a point to prove.

We have a funny this game could be that turning point, and so have backed a Carlisle United win.

Colchester United vs Carlisle United Final Prediction

Colchester 2-3 Carlisle

Colchester will almost certainly get on the scoresheet with the help of Carlisle’s leaky defense, but considering that Carlisle have scored in five of their last seven despite 6 defeats, they may well finally convert those goals into wins.