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The Blues travel straight down the M6 tomorrow hoping to improve on their poor record in the West Midlands. United having a disappointing history of four wins, six draws and 15 defeats in their 25 games at Walsall over the years.
Last season in League One the two sides drew 2-2 in a match played in early October. Darren Byfield putting the Saddlers ahead on 33 minutes before Matty Robson equalised for the Blues just before the break with a long range shot and goal of the season contender.
Steve Jones, in front of only 3,572 spectators then putting the home side back ahead after 74 minutes before Richard Keogh headed home a last minute leveller from a Graham Kavanagh cross to grab the Cumbrians a point from the game, Keogh though also being booked for his exuberant celebrations after the ball hit the back of Rene Gilmartin's net.
Meanwhile in 2008-09 in League One Carlisle lost 2-1 at the Banks's Stadium in late September 2008. United striker Danny Graham having a 25th minute penalty saved before the Saddlers went 2-0 up through Dwayne Mattis just before the break and then Jabo Ibehre on 64 minutes. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's successfully converted 83rd minute spot-kick therefore proving to be no more than a consolation goal for the Cumbrians as 4,830 fans looked on.
Walsall's biggest win at home to Carlisle has twice been by a 5-0 scoreline, one of those victories coming in the first ever old Fourth Division season in 1958-59 as 10,085 fans looked on. The other victory coming in the Third Division North in 1932-33 in front of 5,637 spectators.
None of United's wins four away to the Saddlers have been by more than a one-goal margin. The last success coming in the Third Division (fourth tier) title-winning campaign of 1994-95. A brace of goals from David Reeves in a 2-1 win, as 3,610 spectators looked on, ensuring that Carlisle travelled home with all three points.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
| Recent encounters between the teams | |||||
| 2009/2010 | Sat 01 May | Carlisle | 1 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 2009/2010 | Sat 03 Oct | Walsall | 2 - 2 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2008/2009 | Tue 10 Feb | Carlisle | 1 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 2008/2009 | Sat 27 Sep | Walsall | 2 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 02 Feb | Carlisle | 2 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 11 Aug | Walsall | 1 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2003/2004 | Tue 12 Aug | Walsall | 2 - 1 | Carlisle | LGEC |
Recent respective form guides
Walsall's home form is poor, winning just two of their last six games at the Banks's Stadium, and losing the other four. While the Saddlers, who are the lowest scorers in League One, have netted seven goals in those matches, a worringly large 11 have been leaked at the other end.
Carlisle's away form is not the greatest either though, with two wins, two draws and two defeats from their last six games on the road. The Cumbrians have a narrow positive goal difference over these matches, with eight goals for and only six against.
Walsall find themselves holding the wooden spoon in League One at the moment after picking up just 11 points from their 16 games contested to date. Meanwhile Carlisle are just outside the automatic promotion places, in fourth place, having taken 26 points from their 16 games played so far.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
| Last six games form guide | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
| Walsall | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 4 |
| Carlisle | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 13 |
FootyMad's prediction ...
It's been an indifferent run of form for the Cumbrians of late away from home, but your FootyMad panel sees things improving, starting here at the Banks's Stadium with Carlisle coasting to victory....... Away win
| Sequence statistics | |
| Walsall | 17 matches since last home draw. |
| Carlisle | Not won in previous two away games. Last drawn match five outings ago. Won each of the previous four games. |