The Blues start a three-game week with a trip to Essex to take on Colchester United.
After defeat to Exeter City last time out, Keith Curle’s side will be keen to bounce back and travel back to Cumbria with three points in the bag.
But with Colchester on a positive run of form, the trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium will certainly be a tricky one.
We put the U’s under the spotlight ahead of our visit to Colchester:
A tip from our betting partner Sky Bet:
Exactly one goal to be scored can be taken at odds of 4/1.
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Unbeaten in Three
The U’s are without defeat in their last three Sky Bet League Two outings, and have picked up some impressive results in the process.
Last week saw John McGreal’s side clinch a 2-0 victory over league favourites Mansfield Town while they also picked up three points from Yeovil, following on from a draw against Grimsby Town.
This positive run of form followed a rather more dismal one, which saw Colchester lose out to Wycombe and Cheltenham.
One key positive for McGreal, however, will be that despite these defeats the U’s still managed to score - as long as there are goals continue to flow, the U’s will be confident they can extend their unbeaten run.
Happy Home
Colchester have certainly made the Weston Homes Community Stadium a fortress this season, having lost only once on home soil in Sky Bet League Two so far this campaign.
The solitary defeat came against a strong Wycombe Wanderers side, while the U’s have won three and drawn two of their other five home games so far this season.
McGreal will be eager to ensure his side continue their fine run of home form, and the Cumbrians will have to be wary of a side full of confidence on their own stomping ground.
What Does History Tell Us?
Carlisle and Colchester have met regularly over recent years, with the Essex outfit slightly edging the head-to-head record.
The U’s have won 19 of the 43 meetings between the two sides, with United claiming 13 victories in comparison.
And it’s Colchester who have dominated the meetings between the pair over the last few years, with Carlisle having won only one of the last seven meetings - a 2-0 triumph at Brunton Park in October of last year.
Not a Happy Hunting Ground
It’s not pleasant reading for Carlisle fans, but the Cumbrians are yet to win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The Blues first travelled to the U’s new stadium in 2008 and have since returned on six occasions but have failed to taste victory.
Three of those visits have ended in draws, while Colchester have claimed victory in the other four - can United turn that record around this weekend?
Watch highlights from last season's 2-0 hime victory over Colchester here:
Ones to Watch
+ Doug Loft - A versatile left-sided player, Loft offers Colchester plenty of options in both midfield and defence. Formerly of Brighton, Port Vale and Gillingham, Loft joined the U’s last season but missed the vast majority of the campaign through injury. Now, however, Loft seems to be back to his best and put in an impressive performance against Mansfield last time out. Creative and extremely attack-minded, the wideman could certainly provide plenty of ammunition for the U’s forwards this weekend.
+ Sean Murray - The attacking midfielder is in scintillating form at the moment, having scored one and assisted the other in the victory over Mansfield, while also netting in the triumph at Yeovil. The Irishman has been a regular for the U’s this season and comes alive around the box, meaning the Blues will have to watch him carefully on Saturday afternoon.
+ Michael Mandron - A summer addition from Wigan Athletic, the Frenchman has started the season well and has already netted three for his new club, including one last weekend against Mansfield. Having started his career at Sunderland, Mandron enjoyed loan spells at Fleetwood, Shrewsbury and Hartlepool before signing for Eastleigh. His impressive form in the National League saw him move to Wigan before the U’s came calling in the summer. Quick, powerful and cool under pressure, Mandron is always a real threat.
