Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League Two clash between Bromley and Carlisle United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
League Two strugglers Bromley will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they welcome second last Carlisle United to Hayes Lane on Saturday in their 15th league game of the season.
The home team are 19th with 15 points and drew 1-1 with Cheltenham Town on November 9, while their opponents are in 23rd place with 11 points after 15 matchweeks but beat Salford City 1-0 last Saturday.
Match preview
The hosts will have been pleased with their draw against Cheltenham considering they were reduced to 10 men after just 24 minutes when the score was 0-0.
Perhaps most impressive was the fact that Bromley still managed to earn a point after conceding first in the 51st minute thanks to Omar Sowunmi‘s equaliser in the 82nd minute.
Manager Andy Woodman was disappointed by the referee’s decision to send off Carl Jenkinson, but noted that he was proud of his players’ performances, saying: “We got our rewards in the end and we deserved at least a draw, so fair play to the guys and I can’t be prouder of them. It’s a good point in the circumstances and results will turn for us.”
Bromley have only triumphed twice in their 13 most recent matches, though they have proven difficult to beat considering they have lost on just two occasions in their last nine games, drawing five and winning two.
The hosts’ form at home is poor given the Lillywhites have failed to win any of their last six fixtures at Hayes Lane, drawing three of their most recent four.
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Meanwhile, the away side come into the clash having won for just the third time in their League Two campaign, with Benjamin Barclay‘s 88th-minute goal against Salford enough to earn all three points.
While Carlisle reside in the first of two relegations spots, they are only one point from 22nd-placed Swindon Town and only three points separate 23rd place from 19th place.
Boss Mike Williamson admitted that his side struggled in the first half, but he said in the aftermath of his team’s victory that he encouraged his players to defend higher up the pitch in the second half, telling reporters: “I thought we made a concerted effort to get up the pitch, to want to play the ball forward and run forward.”
Williamson’s side have conceded 28 goals and scored just 13 times in the league this season, and these records make them the division’s worst defensive and second worst offensive club.
Carlisle emerged victorious in their last two games in all competitions, but prior to those wins they lost 12, drew two and won one of their previous 15 matches.
However, it is important to point out that the visitors have won three of their six most recent fixtures on the road, drawing one and losing one in that period.
Bromley League Two form:
Bromley form (all competitions):
Carlisle United League Two form:
Carlisle United form (all competitions):
Team News
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The hosts could name a similar starting lineup to the side that drew with Cheltenham, so expect goalkeeper Grant Smith to be shielded by centre-backs Omar Sowunmi, Byron Webster and Kamarl Grant.
With Carl Jenkinson suspended, Daniel Imray is a probable candidate to feature as a wing-back, while Jude Arthurs, Ben Thompson and Cameron Congreve may start in midfield.
In the forward line, striker Michael Cheek was partnered by Louis Dennis against Cheltenham, and they could form a partnership once again on Saturday.
Carlisle will be without midfielders Ethan Robson and Harrison Neal, so perhaps Callum Anthony Guy will be joined in a double pivot by Harrison Biggins.
The away side will also be unable to select defender Terell Thomas, who is absent as a result of being called up for international duty with Saint Lucia.
Ben Barclay could replace Thomas and he may be fielded alongside centre-backs Aaron Hayden and Samuel Lavelle in the heart of defence.
Bromley possible starting lineup:
Smith; Imray, Sowunmi, Webster, Grant, Odutayo; Arthurs, Thompson, Congreve; Cheek, Dennis
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Barclay, Hayden, Lavelle; Burey, Biggins, Guy, Mellish; Sadi, Armstrong, Adu-Adjei
We say: Bromley 1-1 Carlisle United
Though both sides have struggled for results of late, Bromley have at least been difficult to beat at home.
However, Carlisle have won their last two fixtures and should come into Saturday’s game with some confidence, so it would not be surprising if they left Hayes Lane with a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
