Leicester City head North to Carlisle tomorrow, knowing a win will keep them at the top of League One this weekend.
Carlisle come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw last with Swindon last weekend, their first away point since August. However, the hosts have won their last two home games and won’t be making life easy for the visitors.
Foxes manager Nigel Pearson returns to the club he took control of for five months in 1999 and saved from relegation from the football league in spectacular last gasp fashion (goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scoring with virtually the last kick of the game).
Leicester will be hoping for more of the same from hot in form striker Matty Fryatt, who is on for a third successive hat-trick. The striker currently has an impressive 22 goals for the season so far and will looking for more against the club he was once on loan at.
Vital Quotes:
Carlisle Manager Gregg Abbott (from Carlisle O.S)‘With the way the players are performing, we are quietly confident.
‘We are playing with some determination and we can make life difficult for these teams.
Leicester will come here a bit guarded, because we are slightly on the up again. We will make it a difficult game for them.’
Leicester Manager Nigel Pearson:‘As far as my time at Carlisle goes, it was a very interesting five months and certainly an experience that I wouldn’t swap. But that’s all in the past now.
They started off this season well, but have trailed off of late. It’s a game that both teams will want to win.
The formbook can go out the window in these games. We know that we are the side that teams want to beat and we have got to make sure that we take care of our own performance.’
Carlisle United Team News:
Simon Hackney is fit again after recovering from a calf injury, however could be looking at a place on the bench with deputy Jeff Smith having filled in well.
Dany Livesey returns to the fold after a minor operation on his nose following last week’s draw with Swindon.
Chris Lumsdon remains unavailable and looks to be out for a lengthy period after injuring his ankle.
Player to watch: Carlisle
Richard Keogh
Leicester City Team News:
Mercurial centre back Aleksander Tunchev looks set to miss the clash after limping off in last weekend’s win over Southend.
Player to watch: Leicester
Matty Fryatt
Match Facts & Stats
This is Leicester’s first visit to Brunton Park in 25 years.
Carlisle’s form is undoubtedly better at home than away. They’ve claimed 5 wins at Brunton Park this season, compared to just 1 away so far.
Leicester haven’t struggled with goals anywhere this season, and have 18 away so far in League One.
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
Match Prediction:
Carlisle 0-1 Leicester
Next Fixtures:
Carlisle: 20th December – Northampton (A)
Leicester: 20th December – Peterborough (H)
