Sutton United will be hoping to finish their 2022/23 League Two campaign on a positive note when they host Carlisle United at Gander Green Lane on Monday afternoon.
The U's have been in very poor form during recent weeks, and they face the difficult prospect of taking on a Carlisle side looking to confirm their place in the League Two playoffs.
Match preview
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Sutton are 14th in the League Two standings, with their form going downhill considerably since mid-March, now without a win in their last 10 League Two matches.
That run of form has meant the U's have been unable to push for the playoff places, now 18 points behind the top seven, and things have gone from bad to worse in April, losing their last six matches.
Last time out, Matt Gray's side put in a particularly disappointing performance away at already-relegated Rochdale, losing 4-1 at the Crown Oil Arena, after registering just one shot on target in the entire match.
Despite their poor form, Sutton still have the opportunity to finish the season on a positive note, hosting a side they have never been beaten by in a competitive meeting, winning two and drawing one of the three previous encounters.
That said, it will be a very difficult task for the U's, coming up against fifth-placed Carlisle, who need just one point to mathematically confirm their place in the League Two playoffs.
In truth, the Cumbrians' place in the top seven is more or less already guaranteed, given that they are three points clear of eighth-placed Mansfield Town, with a far superior goal difference to the Stags.
However, manager Paul Simpson will take nothing for granted, as his side have not been at their best in recent weeks, winning just one of their last five matches, which came in a 1-0 victory away at Barrow in late April.
The Blues have scored the second-highest number of goals in the fourth tier, with 65 to their name, but some defensive frailties were on show in their last match.
Carlisle lost 3-2 at home against Salford City last time out, with Luke Bolton scoring an 88th-minute winner for the Ammies, and Simpson will be keen to see a response from his side, after what was a disappointing performance in an important game.
Team News
Sutton will be without goalkeeper Bradley House, as the 24-year-old was shown a straight red card against Rochdale last weekend, meaning Jack Rose should get the nod between the sticks.
After the disappointing result last time out, Gray may choose to make a few changes to his side, with Lee Angol potentially coming into the attack, replacing Kylian Kouassi.
Carlisle also have a player missing due to a red card in their last match, as despite the club lodging an appeal, Jonathan Mellish's suspension has been upheld, meaning Alfie McCalmont could slot in at central midfield.
Joe Garner scored after being brought on as a substitute against Salford, so Simpson could reward the forward with a start, replacing Ryan Edmondson in the starting lineup, with top scorer Kristian Dennis also set to keep his place in the side.
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Rose; Kizzi, Goodliffe, Rowe, Milsom; Ajiboye, Beautyman, Smith, Boldewijn; Angol, Wilson
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Holy; Barclay, Huntington, Whelan, Armer; Moxon, Guy, McCalmont; Edmondson, Garner, Dennis
We say: Sutton United 0-2 Carlisle United
Carlisle only need a point on Monday, but we expect them to take all three, given that they looked very solid in their last away trip against Barrow.
Not only that, but Sutton have been very poor in recent weeks, typified by a shock defeat against bottom-of-the-table Rochdale, which indicates they have very little chance against a side of the Cumbrians' quality.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
