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The Blues travel straight down the M6 tomorrow hoping to improve on their poor record in the West Midlands. United having a disappointing history of four wins, five draws and 14 defeats in their 23 games at Walsall over the years.
Last season on the opening day of the 2007-08 League One campaign Carlisle drew 1-1 with the Saddlers at the Banks's Stadium. Kevin Gall opened the scoring for United after 18 minutes, in front of 6,933 spectators, only for Tommy Mooney's leveller two minutes after the interval to ensure that honours ended even.
Walsall's biggest win at home to Carlisle has twice been by a 5-0 scoreline, one of those wins coming in the first ever old Fourth Division season in 1958-59 as 10,085 fans looked on. The other victory coming in the Third Division North in 1932-33 in front of 5,637 spectators.
None of United's wins four away to the Saddlers have been by more than a one-goal margin. The last success coming in the Third Division (fourth tier) title-winning campaign of 1994-95. A brace of goals from David Reeves in a 2-1 win, as 3,610 spectators looked on, ensuring that Carlisle travelled home with all three points.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
| Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
| 2007/2008 | Sat 02 Feb | Carlisle | 2 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 11 Aug | Walsall | 1 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2003/2004 | Tue 12 Aug | Walsall | 2 - 1 | Carlisle | LGEC |
| 1997/1998 | Sat 14 Feb | Carlisle | 1 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 1997/1998 | Sat 04 Oct | Walsall | 3 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 16 Dec | Carlisle | 1 - 1 | Walsall | LGE1 |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 30 Sep | Walsall | 2 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
Recent respective form guides
Walsall have only managed to pick up two wins from their last six competitive home games, losing three and drawing one. The Saddlers have scored a healthy 11 goals in these games, but have also conceded an alarming 12.
The Cumbrians have had a decent run of form away from home in their last six matches on the road, coming away with three points on three occasions, but drawing one and losing two. United having scored seven goals in these matches, but conceded an alarming nine.
Walsall and Carlisle have each taken 13 points from their first seven league matches, both teams with identical records of won four, drawn one and lost two. United are above the Saddlers on goals scored though, with both teams also having an identical goal difference of plus four.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
| Last six games form guide | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
| Walsall | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 12 |
| Carlisle | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7 |
FootyMad's prediction ...
A creditable return from recent away games for the Cumbrians could well see them head back from the Banks's Stadium with a share of the spoils think the FootyMad panel. Score draw
| Sequence statistics: | |
| Walsall | Five games since last home draw. Not drawn a match in their last seven. |
| Carlisle | Not won in previous three away games. |