Carlisle United will begin their 2023-24 League One campaign when they welcome Fleetwood Town to Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts managed to secure promotion to the third tier last season through the playoffs, while the visitors finished mid-table in 13th place.
Match preview
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Paul Simpson has had a huge impact at Carlisle United over the past few years, saving them from relegation in 2021-22 before enjoying playoff success last season – his third promotion across two spells at the club.
The aim this season will be to avoid the drop back into the fourth tier, and although losing top scorer Kristian Dennis does not help their cause to survive, Carlisle will fight for every last point if last season is anything to go by.
The Cumbrians had the fifth-best home record last year, winning 11 of their 23 matches at Brunton Park, amassing 41 points in the process.
Simpson's side managed to win their first three pre-season friendlies against Annan Athletic, Gretna 2008 and Workington before sharing the spoils with Livingston and Chorley.
Carlisle rounded off their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 defeat against Dundee United, courtesy of strikes from Louis Moult and Glenn Middleton.
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As for the visitors, their off-season has been plagued with controversy, with owner Andy Pilley's legal battles hindering preparations for the 2023-24 campaign.
Nevertheless, Fleetwood ended their pre-season with a 1-0 home victory over League Two side Grimsby Town at Highbury Stadium last Saturday afternoon.
Indeed, securing goalless draws against Championship outfits Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End also bode well for the Fisherman, who conceded the joint-third highest amount of goals at home in the top 13 last term.
Scott Brown will be hoping to improve on his side's 13th-placed finish last season, picking up 58 points from their 46 matches.
Remarkably, the Cod Army's form home and away last season was identical, recording seven wins, seven draws and seven losses, so Brown will know that his side need to make Highbury Stadium a fortress if they are to improve on their mid-table finish.
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Team News
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Kristian Dennis's exit could prove to be a significant blow for Carlisle, but their chances of survival are massively enhanced by retaining the likes of Jack Armer, Owen Moxon and Jon Mellish.
Sam Lavelle has also arrived from Charlton Athletic to help shore up the defence, while the addition of Alfie McCalmont from Leeds United will provide some further steel in the engine room.
As for Fleetwood, despite their off-field drama, they have managed to secure the signatures of former Plymouth Argyle winger Danny Mayor, as well as midfielder Ryan Broom.
Jack Marriott, Josh Earl, Jay Lynch, Josh Vela and Shaun Rooney were all key figures for Brown last season, and he will be hoping that they have a similar impact this campaign.
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Holy; Lavelle, Huntington, Mellish, Back; Guy, Moxon, Armer, McCalmont; Gibson, Edmindson
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Rooney, Wiredu, Nsiala, Earl; Omochere, Vela, Broom, Mayor; Stockley, Marriott
We say: Carlisle United 1-1 Fleetwood Town
The loss of top scorer Kristian Dennis could leave Carlisle without their shooting boots for the first few games of the season, while Fleetwood will not want a repeat of last season and endure an opening-day defeat.
Therefore, we think the sides will approach this game with caution, and they will cancel each other out.
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