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The Blues are ready to welcome the Pilgrims to Cumbria on Saturday afternoon, aiming to preserve their record of never having lost at home to the visitors, United winning both of the previous games against their opponents.
The last match played between the two at Brunton Park was just over two years ago, in January 2004, the Cumbrians carving out a narrow 2-1 victory in a Division Three encounter. The goals from the Blues that day came from a Ben Chapman own goal in the 15th minute and a header from the on-loan Matty Fryatt in the 61st minute. Carlisle had to earn the win the hard way though as they had to come from behind to grab the three points, after going 1-0 down to a tenth minute Graeme Jones effort for the Pilgrims in front of a crowd figure of 5,296. It was the third win in four games for a United side who had only tasted victory once in their previous 21 league games, a disastrous early season run of form which cost the Blues dear as they were relegated to the Conference National at the end of the campaign.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
| Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
| 2005/2006 | Wed 18 Jan | Boston | 0 - 5 | Carlisle | LGE2 |
| 2003/2004 | Sat 03 Jan | Carlisle | 2 - 1 | Boston | LGE2 |
| 2003/2004 | Mon 25 Aug | Boston | 1 - 0 | Carlisle | LGE2 |
| 2002/2003 | Sat 08 Mar | Boston | 0 - 0 | Carlisle | LGE2 |
| 2002/2003 | Sat 21 Sep | Carlisle | 4 - 2 | Boston | LGE2 |
Recent respective form guides
Carlisle are in decent form at home, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, infact the Blues haven't lost at Brunton Park for ten games now, their last defeat coming at the hands of Wycombe in late November. In those more recent six matches, the Cumbrians have rattled up an impressive 16 goals, and conceded only four, two of those coming against Shrewsbury in a 2-2 draw.
Boston have an average recent record on the road, picking up two 1-0 wins at lowly Stockport and Chester, but losing three, of their last six away games, the latest setback on their travels coming by virtue of a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town two weeks ago. The Pilgrims have conceded eight goals in these six matches and have only hit three in reply, so, disregarding the game at Field Mill, Boston provide little entertainment away from York Street and could prove difficult to break down, especially having had more drawn games on the road than defeats.
Carlisle are leading the way in the League Two table on goal difference from Grimsby Town, with their 37 games giving them a return of 68 points. The Cumbrians do have a game in hand on the Mariners though and will be hoping to take advantage of that when they face Lincoln City, again in a home fixture, on Tuesday night.
Boston see themselves just below half-way in the division as they currently sit in 14th place, showing a record of 48 points from their 37 games played so far. The Lincolnshire outfit are, at the moment and having played a game less, eight points away from Peterborough United who occupy the last play-off spot and if the Pilgrims are to reach the promotion lottery places then they must put a very good winning run together to have any chance.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
| Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
| Carlisle | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 5 | 15 |
| Boston | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 7 |
FootyMad's prediction ...
It's good news for Blues fans, because, with them being in such great nick at Brunton Park, I just cannot see any further than an emphatic home win for the Cumbrians. Home win
| Sequence statistics: | |
| Carlisle | Unbeaten in the last ten home games. Not drawn a match in their last six . |
| Boston | Four games since last away draw. Last drawn game five outings ago. |