As the threat of relegation looms, Mark Hughes's Carlisle United will travel to Rodney Parade to take on Newport County in Tuesday's League Two action.
The Exiles are in particularly strong form at the moment and will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce in midweek, while the Cumbrians remain rooted to the bottom of the table and are desperate for points.
Match preview
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Nelson Jardim's Newport County have bounced back from a five-game loss streak to record three consecutive wins leading up to Tuesday's clash, and taking anything from the match would take extend their unbeaten run to five.
Last time out, the Exiles impressively beat promotion hopefuls Crewe Alexandra 3-0 thanks to goals from Cameron Antwi, Peterborough United loanee David Ajiboye and former Railwaymen striker Courtney Baker-Richardson.
That win moved Jardim's side to 17th in the table, where they are now 12 points behind the playoff spots but also 13 ahead of Morecambe in the relegation zone.
At Rodney Parade, Tuesday's hosts have won three of their last five, including an entertaining nine-goal clash against MK Dons before Christmas, and while their form has not been perfect, they should feel confident on their own turf against one of the division's weakest teams.
In midweek, Newport will be looking upwards and wondering what the remaining 17 games of the season could bring them now that they seem increasingly safe from the drop, and another three points could take them as high as 14th if results elsewhere prove favourable.
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Meanwhile, Mark Hughes's Carlisle are the EFL's bottom club, and if they are to survive in the football league, then they will need to pick up approximately 40 percent of the points available to them over the rest of the season according to some calculations.
Hughes replaced former boss Mike Williamson in the dugout after the Cumbrians were beaten 5-1 by Swindon Town on February 1, though the Wales legend and Manchester United great tasted defeat in his first game in charge.
Tuesday's visitors were beaten 2-1 on the road by Grimsby Town on Saturday, and that loss has left them five points behind 22nd-placed Tranmere Rovers having lost six of their seven matches in 2025.
However, it is notable that Carlisle have earned more than half of their points away from home this season, and though their travelling record of three wins, three draws and nine losses is still poor overall, their ability to maintain their performance levels on the road could give them some encouragement against Newport.
In midweek, Hughes might typically see a game against the fourth tier's 17th-placed side as an opportunity to make inroads in the relegation fight, but the Exiles are enjoying their best spell of the season so far, and it will be incredibly difficult for the Cumbrians to avoid defeat.
Team News
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With his side having kept a clean sheet and put in a strong performance against Crewe, expect Jardim to opt for the same XI against Carlisle on Tuesday.
A back three of Cameron Evans, James Clarke and Matthew Baker will be protecting Nick Townsend between the sticks, while Shane McLoughlin and Cameron Antwi will be patrolling the middle of the park.
Up front, Courtney Baker-Richardson will lead the line, supported by David Ajiboye and Bobby Kamwa.
As for Carlisle, Jordan Jones missed Hughes's first game in charge through suspension, and he will be welcomed back into the squad in midweek.
The new boss opted for a system resembling a 4-2-3-1 shape against Grimsby, so expect to see Callum Whelan and William Patching at the base of midfield, with Elliot Embleton operating just behind striker Joe Hugill.
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Evans, Clarke, Baker; Thomas, McLoughlin, Antwi, Driscoll-Glennon; Ajiboye, Kamwa; Baker-Richardson
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Williams, Lavelle, Thomas, McArthur; Whelan, Patching; Wearne, Embleton, Harris; Hugill
We say: Newport County 2-1 Carlisle United
All of the momentum seems to be with Newport ahead of this clash, and Jardim's side will be confident of securing another three points as their ambitions for the season grow.
That being said, Carlisle will be desperate for points and may benefit from the new manager bounce, so the Exiles must be wary if they are to walk away with the win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
