Trailing behind Group C’s top two in the EFL Trophy, Carlisle United and Wigan Athletic meet at Brunton Park on Tuesday.
Both were beaten in their opening match, so neither can afford to drop more points if they are to contend for a place in the knockout stages.
Match preview
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Since making the tough call to part ways with club legend Paul Simpson, having lost three of their first four league matches following relegation last season, Carlisle have not experienced an upturn in fortunes under new management.
Mike Williamson‘s side secured a point from Saturday’s goalless draw at Colchester United, but they remain third-bottom of League Two with 10 games played.
The Cumbrian club have just seven points on the board so far, and they were indebted to some superb saves from goalkeeper Harry Lewis – plus a lot of last-ditch defending – to come out of the weekend with anything at all.
Having begun their EFL Trophy campaign by losing at home to Nottingham Forest Under-21s in September, the Blues must try to avoid another setback this week – otherwise hopes of a top-two finish could already be ended.
Both Carlisle and their next opponents are three points behind Forest’s youngsters and Morecambe, so plenty rests on their midweek contest.
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Now rooted to the bottom of the EFL pyramid, Morecambe were shock 2-1 winners at Wigan on the opening matchday, leaving the League One side in need of victory at Brunton Park.
By contrast with their hosts, Wigan come into this clash in fine form, having thumped Bristol Rovers 4-0 before playing out three consecutive goalless draws, then producing a 3-0 win against Peterborough United.
The Latics extended their unbeaten streak to six games when they visited Edgeley Park for Saturday’s meeting with Stockport County, with another 0-0 scoreline also continuing a remarkable run of clean sheets.
In fact, Shaun Maloney‘s side have not conceded a single goal since losing to Morecambe over a month ago, and that has helped them secure a mid-table position in England’s third tier.
Unsurprisingly, they boast the best defensive record throughout League One, so Maloney will expect his team to shut out Carlisle and pick up maximum points.
Carlisle United EFL Trophy form:
Carlisle United form (all competitions):
Wigan Athletic EFL Trophy form:
Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):
Team News
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Carlisle boss Mike Williamson will be without Jordan Jones again, due to a calf tear, but Dominic Sadi should be back in contention after illness saw him start on the bench last time out.
With League Two survival the hosts’ priority, there are set to be a few changes of personnel, so Harrison Biggins and Sam Lavelle – both of whom picked up a knock at the weekend – may be rested.
It also remains to be seen whether captain Charlie Wyke will start up front against his former club, having spent three years with Wigan before returning to Cumbria.
The visitors’ first-choice goalkeeper, Sam Tickle, has perhaps been their star man this season: the England Under-21 international pulled off a couple of superb saves at the weekend as he recorded his sixth consecutive clean sheet.
Centre-back Will Aimson recovered from injury to make the squad on Saturday, while Luke Chambers, Jensen Weir and Dion Rankine have all returned to fitness of late.
However, Steven Sessegnon – who has been absent since August – and summer signing Tyrese Francois might have to wait a while longer to make their first-team comebacks.
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Barclay, Thomas, Mellish; Davies, Neal, Sadi, Vela, Harper; Wyke, Armstrong
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Ramsay, Kerr, Carragher, Chambers; Olakigbe, S. Smith, M. Smith, Aasgard, Thomas; Taylor
Not only do Wigan have sufficient firepower to ease past their lower-league opponents, but they also boast one of the meanest back lines in English football.
The Latics should secure a lead and then see out victory, as they kick-start their EFL Trophy campaign at Carlisle’s expense.
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