Preview: Carlisle United – Wigan Athletic – forecast, team news, lineups

Fourth level Carlisle United will welcome the First League Wigan Athletic at Brunton Park on Saturday FA Cup First round clash.

The two sides will meet for the second time less than a month after Wigan won 2-0 in the EFL Trophy match on October 8.

Match Preview

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Carlisle could welcome the FA Cup distraction after failing to win any of their last nine official matches following their win over Swindon in Mike Williamsonfirst game in charge.

Seven of these nine matches took place in the Fourth Division, where Carlisle recorded two draws and five defeats.

After drawing with Harrogate Town earlier this month, the Cumbrians lost two matches in a row to Walsall and Cheltenham Town, leaving them in the table. League Two drop zone and are four points adrift of safety.

They will ultimately shelve their bid for survival as they turn their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup tie, where the hosts hope to reach the second round for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

However, the only time they failed to reach the second round during this period was last season’s tournament, when they suffered a 3–1 defeat in their first round match against Leyton Orient.

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Like the hosts, Wigan are also enduring a poor league campaign, winning three, drawing five and losing five of their 13 matches.

They have also gone four league games without a win after surrendering a two-goal lead to a 2-2 draw with Blackpool on Monday.

Dion Rankin And Matt Smith scored a goal each to put Wigan in the driver’s seat at Bloomfield Road, but were denied maximum points by own goals in first-half stoppage time and in the 92nd minute.

After having to agree to the point, Sean MaloneyThe Russian team is languishing in 19th place in the standings. First league table Only four points separate them from the drop zone.

Wigan’s last competitive win came in an EFL Trophy group match against Carlisle at Brunton Park and they will look to repeat that feat on Saturday as they try to avoid their first first round defeat since the 2020-21 season.

Carlisle United kit (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic kit (all competitions):

Team news

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Carlisle confirmed that the former Wigan striker Charlie Wyke will miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury against Cheltenham.

Archie Gray remains unavailable for selection having been absent from the last three matchdays due to a shoulder injury.

Defender Jonathan Mellish and midfielder Harrison Neal both are pushing for recalls after dropping to the bench last weekend.

Regarding the Latics on loan from Liverpool Luke Chambers returned to his parent club to work on his rehabilitation after a back injury.

Jensen Weir will miss due to an ankle problem, while Callum McManaman is in doubt after missing Wigan’s last three matches.

Luke Robinson he could be given more minutes off the bench after returning from injury to come on as a substitute against Blackpool.

Potential Carlisle United starting XI:
Lewis; Lavelle, Thomas, Melish; Biggins, Neil, Guy, Harper; Sadi, Charters; Armstrong

Possible Wigan Athletic starting XI:
tickle; Ramsay, Kerr, Aimson, Sessegnon; Rankin, Francois, Smith, Aasgaard, Thomas; Taylor

We say: Carlisle United 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan have already enjoyed success at Brunton Park this season and we think they will take inspiration from this League Cup win to secure another win against a Carlisle side who have lost six of their last eight competitive matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.

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