Colchester United will be looking to extend their impressive run of results in League Two this weekend when they travel to Brunton Park to face Carlisle United on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are languishing at the foot of the table with 21 points after 30 games, while the visitors are now in the top half of the league standings with 40 points in 29 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
After being relegated from League One last term, Carlisle United are now facing the genuine possibility of suffering back-to-back drops unless they can find major improvement by the end of this season.
With 30 games in the rearview mirror, the Cumbrians have managed just five wins to date and are six points from safety after losing their 19th game of the season to Newport County 1-0 last weekend.
Fair to say, it has not been the best start to life for Mark Hughes at Brunton Park, with the former Stoke City boss suffering consecutive defeats in his first two games in charge since taking over from Mike Williamson at the start of this month.
Following last week's loss, the Blues are now riding a four-match losing streak and have lost eight of their last 10 league games, with the exceptions being victories over Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town, both by 2-1 scorelines.
At home, Carlisle have lost four of their last five matches and have only taken nine points from a possible 42 at this venue this season, which is the joint-worst tally alongside Morecambe, though the latter have played a game less.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Colchester United continued their steady climb up the league table last weekend when they came from a goal down to beat league leaders Walsall 2-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium.
That result marked the U's fifth consecutive match without defeat, four of which ended in victory, meaning they have earned the joint-most points in the division over this period alongside Swindon Town.
One of the most notable improvements made by Danny Cowley's side has been their defensive solidity, as they have now maintained nine clean sheets in their last 14 league games after only shutting out opponents in three of their first 15 games this season.
While the visitors have not fared well in this fixture in recent seasons, failing to win any of their last five matches against this opponent, they will be confident in their chances of ending that run here given their upturn in form of late.
Team News
© Imago
After being sent off in the defeat to Swindon Town, Jordan Jones sustained a foot injury that caused him to sit out last week's trip to Newport County, and it is unclear whether the 30-year-old will be fit in time for this weekend's match.
Attacker Josh Martin looked lively after coming off the bench last week for the final 20 minutes and he could be handed a starting spot in this match, potentially in place of Joe Thomas.
For the visitors, highly rated striker Samson Tovide has been out for the last two months with a hamstring injury suffered in the U's draw at Crewe Alexandra on December 20, but he is reportedly making major strides in his recovery and could return in the next few weeks.
Colchester brought in Tyreece Simpson and Jack Tucker last month to bolster their forward options and the pair will be in line to make the starting 11 this week after coming off the bench last time out.
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Lavelle, Thomas, McArthur; Harris, Whelan, Patching, Williams; Wearne, Embleton; Hugill
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Macey; Egbo, Kelleher, Flanagan, Iandolo; Bishop, McDonnell; Anderson, Payne, Edwards; Taylor
We say: Carlisle United 0-1 Colchester United
Carlisle United have been in freefall since the turn of the year and could be cut adrift very soon unless Hughes can find a way to stop the rot. Unfortunately for the Cumbrians, they are about to face one of the most in-form sides in the league at the moment, and we feel they will leave this match empty-handed.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
