Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United will both begin their 2023-24 EFL Trophy campaigns when they meet on Tuesday evening.
The two teams traded divisions last season, with Accrington relegated from League One, and Carlisle promoted from League Two.
Match preview
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Despite losing 3-1 to Notts County on Saturday, Accrington will be content with the start they have made to the season, with 10 points from five matches seeing them sit outside League Two's playoff spots on goal difference only.
As may be the case for many sides in the bottom tier of the Football League as the season progresses, Stanley could not live with newly promoted Notts County's attacking firepower, with Macauley Langstaff's brace helping his side move to the top of the table.
Having made the semi-finals of this competition last season, ultimately losing 2-0 to the eventual winners Bolton Wanderers, John Coleman will be hoping for another fine effort from his players despite returning to League One being his main priority for the campaign.
While in theory they may be expected to lose to their forthcoming opponents given that they are now competing in a division beneath them, Coleman will be determined for home advantage at Crown Ground to help them to all three points on Tuesday.
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After failing to win any of their opening five matches back in League One, Carlisle would have been mightily relieved to get themselves off the mark with a 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
Tom Bayliss' own goal handed the hosts the initiative in the 57th minute, before Joe Garner's strike deep into injury-time sealed all three points for Paul Simpson's side, who moved out of the relegation zone in the process.
The Cumbrians collected just two points from three group games in the EFL Trophy last season, suggesting it is unlikely to be of much interest to Simpson and his players, who will be highly motivated to avoid an instant return to League Two.
As such, while they will be hoping to win in the North West in order to boost their confidence even further after gaining a priceless victory at the weekend, another disappointing return in this competition may not be the end of the world for them.
Team News
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Accrington will remain without midfielder Joe Pritchard due to a long-term Achilles tendon injury, with Coleman likely to be tempted to ring the changes for this match.
His side have an important home match against potential promotion rivals Mansfield Town on Saturday, meaning the likes of Dan Martin, Aaron Pickles and Connor O'Brien could be handed opportunities after being unused substitutes last time out.
Likewise, Carlisle are unlikely to be at full strength on Tuesday, but Garner will expect to receive a starting berth after coming off the bench to seal his side's first league win of the season against Shrewsbury.
Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Tomas Holy is likely to be handed an opportunity to impress between the posts, with Alfie McCalmont set to appear in the visitors' engine room having joined on loan from Leeds United.
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
McIntyre; Mellor, Hills, Pickles, O'Brien; Quirk, Martin, Conneely, Nolan; Lowe, Woods
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Holy; Back, Lavelle, Barclay, Robinson; Gibson, McCalmont, Harris, Moxon; Garner, Ablade
We say: Accrington Stanley 2-1 Carlisle United
Despite these two sides competing in different divisions, the reality is that there is little to split them in terms of individual quality, meaning the hosts will fancy their chances of beginning this season's competition with a victory.
Stanley made it all the way to the semi-finals last time out, compared to Carlisle who finished rock-bottom of their group, so we will back the hosts to earn a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
