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

Paul Simpson's side are on a five-game unbeaten run of their own, which was extended with a draw away at Newport County this past weekend.

Match preview

Paul Hurst's side are currently sitting 10th in the League Two table, two places and one point ahead of opponents Carlisle. Three wins in their last six games and only one defeat has given The Mariners a solid foundation to build their season upon.

Striker Harry Clifton has had a promising start to the season, scoring four times in the opening nine games. After scoring seven goals in their National League campaign last season, Clifton has so far adapted well to life back in League Two, where he only scored two goals in their previous season in the fourth tier.

Grimsby will be looking to get their first league win of the season at Blundell Park on Tuesday - an EFL Trophy triumph against Mansfield Town is the only home victory the fans have been treated to so far - but games at home have tended to be low-scoring affairs, with The Mariners only scoring three goals and conceding four in four games.

A settled defensive unit, anchored by the experienced Luke Waterfall, who is accompanied by three young defenders, has led to the team only conceding seven goals in their opening nine games, the second-best defensive record in the league.

Carlisle United are currently on a five-game unbeaten run, where they have picked up two victories and three draws, which included a point picked up at currently sixth-placed Mansfield Town.

Forward Kristian Dennis has scored six goals so far this campaign, which is the joint-fourth highest in the division, but the Blues have been struggling to find the back of the net away from home, only registering three times compared to the eight they have scored at Brunton Park.

Like opponents Grimsby, the Carlisle defence has been relatively settled, with Morgan Feeney and Corey Whelan being the two rotating in and out of the starting lineup. Young wing-backs Fin Back and Jack Armer have been in the team for every league fixture so far, contributing three assists collectively.

Grimsby's lack of success at home is mirrored by Carlisle's lack of success away from home; Paul Simpson's side have yet to win a game away from home but have also only lost on one occasion, drawing three times.

After a 20th-placed finish last season, this has been a start to the campaign which has laid a good base for Simpson to build on with his side, and playing newly-promoted Grimsby provides an opportunity for Carlisle to continue the momentum that has been built over the last few games.

Grimsby Town League Two form:

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Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

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Carlisle United League Two form:

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Carlisle United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Grimsby put out an unchanged starting 11 against Swindon Town, playing their regular 4-4-2 formation.

After suffering a defeat, it may be expected that there would be a change or two to this lineup. Otis Khan came on for Brendan Kiernan at half time in the previous fixture, so this may be the most likely area where a change to the starting team will be made.

Carlisle were still without striker Omari Patrick for their game against Newport County, with manager Simpson previously stating he would not take a risk with him as he prioritised his long-term fitness, so if Patrick is back for this one, it is more likely that he will be on the bench.

Morgan Feeney and Corey Whelan have been rotating in and out of the squad; as Whelan started the previous fixture, Feeney may be called up to step into the five-at-the-back formation.

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Driscoll-Glennon, Smith, Waterfall, Efete; Clifton, Hunt, Holohan, Khan; Richardson, Taylor

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Holy; Armer, Mellish, Feeney, Huntington, Back; Moxon, Guy, Gibson; Dennis, Stretton

We say: Grimsby Town 1-1 Carlisle United

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