United and Port Vale met just once last season as the Covid-19 outbreak led to the cancellation of the April Brunton Park fixture.
The Valiants have started this season's campaign in resolute mood having conceded just one goal in their four league games so far.
Their season started with a convincing 2-0 home win over Crawley - former-Blue Mark Cullen got both goals - and they backed that up with a solid 2-0 away victory down in Exeter.
League Two new boys Harrogate provided a stiff test when they battled out a stalemate at Vale Park at the end of last month, and Vale lost their first league game last Saturday when a late penalty from Adam Phillips earned Morecambe a 1-0 success at the Globe.
Tuesday night took them to Wigan for an EFL Trophy group game and goals from Theo Robinson [2] and Crisitano Montano had earned them the points long before the Latics bit back with a consolation goal.
Currently fifth in the table, thanks to that stubborn back line, they'll be looking to build on that and push on through the busy month ahead.
It was a busy summer for manager John Askey as he set about consolidating his squad through what was a very tough and uncertain period.
A raft of players committed themselves to Burslem as David Amoo, Shaun Brisley, Rhys Browne, Tom Conlon, Mark Cullen, Cristiano Montano and Nathan Smith all penned new deals before the first week of July had passed.
And the flurry of activity didn't stop there. The first new summer signing was striker Devante Rodney, in from Salford on a three-year deal,
Full back Zak Mills was next, having been released by Oldham, and another Salford man was captured on a two-agreement as midfielder Danny Whitehead completed his move to Vale Park
Forward Theo Robinson headed back to his old club when Southend cancelled his contract, and defender David Fitzpatrick looked to have completed the run of signings when he agreed a deal at the end of August.
But a successful trial period for South African stopper Dino Visser was capped off with a one-year deal, and Harry McKirdy, who was with United last season, also made his trial spell count when he was offered a contract of a similar length.
Midfielder Luke Joyce is another player who needs no introduction having effectively started his career here in Cumbria when he joined the Blues on-loan way back in 2006 (we're making him sound really old there).
Joining the club for a second time in 2015, he made a total of 171 appearances for United and scored five goals along the way (one of which was a Sky Bet League Two goal of the month effort).
A very hard-working midfielder, he'll be looking to help his team to improve on what was a decent season last time out.
Other very familiar faces include David Amoo, Shaun Brisley, Mark Cullen and Harry McKirdy, who have all had recent spells here with us at Brunton Park.
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With match commentary also provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through these unprecedented behind closed doors fixtures.
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These sides met just once in the 2019/20 season as the Covid-19 outbreak wiped out their April meeting here at Brunton Park.
Vale took the honours at their place in November 2019 as Dave Worrall and Mark Cullen cancelled out a first minute strike from Ryan Loft.
Watch the highlights from that meeting here:
The last meeting between these teams prior to that was in January 2019 when United put the 10-man Valiants to the sword courtesy of a late goal from striker Connor Simpson.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
We were at Brunton Park in August 2018 when the Blues secured a 2-1 home victory. Goals either side of the break from Danny Grainger and Tom Parkes gave United a comfortable cushion, but Luke Hannant had hearts fluttering when he bagged a Valiant consolation with just two minutes left on the clock.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Back at Vale Park in March 2018 and second half goals from Ashley Nadesan and Hallam Hope handed the Blues a hard fought victory. Dior Angus had given the home side a first half lead, but Antony Kay was sent off for the hosts as tempers flared late in the game.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The Blues had made heavy weather of the game earlier in that season, just before Christmas, when they allowed Tyrone Barnett and Tom Pope to give the visitors an unexpected two-goal cushion. A late strike from Richie Bennett did little to prevent the away side from taking the spoils on the day.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Referee - James Bell
Assistant Referee 1 - Darren Wilding
Assistant Referee 2 - Steven Plane
Fourth Official - Oliver Bickle
Our referee for this game is Mr James Bell.
This is the first time James has taken charge of a Carlisle United fixture.
He has taken charge of three games so far this season showing eight yellow cards and one red.
In the National League last season, he was the man in the middle for the August play-off final between Harrogate Town and Notts County prior to his pormotion to the league list.
This is a behind closed doors fixture.
Please see above for details on how to purchase a live streaming match pass to see all of the action via our iFollow streaming service.
