Preview: Carlisle United vs. Barrow - prediction, team news, lineups

Carlisle United defeated Rochdale 1-0 in their previous encounter, while Barrow will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.

Match preview

Carlisle United are currently in top form in League Two, as they have recorded five wins in their previous six outings in the league.

Their recent form has seen them gain serious strength in the league table, as they currently lie fourth in League Two, with their win over Rochdale catapulting them six points clear of Salford in fifth place.

A staggering goal difference over their competitors provides them an additional cushion, however, Paul Simpson's side will start to believe in a real possibility of a top-three finish, which would secure them automatic promotion to League One.

With a league-topping 43 goals scored this season, Carlisle United's biggest attribute is their ability to exploit the opposition in attacking areas and clinically finish off their chances.

Carlisle United striker Kristian Dennis has been in scintillating form for the Blues this season, with the 32-year-old veteran currently at the top of the League Two scoring charts, rifling 16 goals for his side.

Owen Moxon has also been a constant threat for Carlisle United and will once again be vital for his side in their upcoming fixture, as the midfielder's ability to distribute has already seen him gain eight assists this campaign.

Meanwhile, Pete Wild will need to rejuvenate the morale amongst the Barrow camp, after a run of nine games in all competitions with only one win.

After a run of three results on the bounce without losing and holding the league leaders to a 0-0 draw, it seemed like Barrow may have been showing signs of regaining their poise heading into a tough match against a free-scoring Northampton Town side.

However, Northampton were able to win 2-0 at the Furness Building Society Stadium, further compounding an uncomfortable reading of recent results for Barrow.

Heading into their next game against Carlisle, it will be a similar task to their last affair, as they face another of League Two's most potent outfits.

Barrow will be in desperate need for Ben Whitfield to return to the form that saw him shoot up the assisting charts, as the 26-year-old winger has only provided one assist in his previous eight games for the club after recording four goals and nine assists before the beginning of December.

Carlisle United League Two form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Barrow League Two form:

D

L

D

W

D

L

Team News

The hosts are not set to make any changes to the side that beat Rochdale 1-0 on the weekend.

Kristian Dennis will be one of the first names on the team sheet due to his scoring heroics this season and should partner John-Kymani Gordon after scoring the winner against Rochdale.

Jack Stretton is still in the recovery process, with Omari Patrick returning off the bench in Carlisle United's previous three fixtures and expected to play a similar role in this affair.

Barrow are also not expected to make changes to the side that were defeated against Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon and currently have a full squad to choose from.

They are expected to set up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Josh Gordon leading the line up top, but with only a single goal in his last nine appearances for Barrow, he will need to repay Pete Wild's loyalty sooner rather than later.

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Holy; Senior, Feeney, Huntington, Mellish, Armer; Guy, Gibson, Moxon; Gordon, Dennis

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Farman; Warren, Canavan, Ray, Brough; Neal, White; Whitfield, Gotts, Waters; Gordon

We say: Carlisle United 1-0 Barrow

Due to the similar style that both teams play with, we believe that in this encounter both sides will largely cancel each other out.

However, we think that Carlisle United will find a way to open the deadlock due to their scoring record in the division and will win this match by a slim margin.

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