There is just one game in League One on Tuesday evening, but Carlisle’s (13/5) clash at Stevenage (21/20, draw 12/5 – 90 minutes) could have repurcussions in the race for a play-off place with both sides still hoping to make it into the top seven with four games to go.
Carlisle currently sit just outside the play-off places in eighth but a win this week would move them above Notts County and into seventh while Stevenage, currently three points behind Tuesday’s opponents in ninth, know they are approaching last-chance saloon in their bid to be involved in the end-of-season drama next month.
Going into the game, both sides also know that it looks like there’s just that one play-off place up for grabs now as three from Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Huddersfield and County look certainties to be involved, meaning the Cumbrians, Stevenage and Brentford will have to battle for that remaining spot.
Carlisle’s form going into the game is not that of a promotion-chasing side, however, as Greg Abbot’s side are without a win in four.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against champions Charlton can be forgiven as Chris Powell’s men have brushed aside pretty much everyone in the division this term but they will need to get back to winning ways if they are to push for seventh.
Abbot also suffered a blow when it was confirmed the influential Lee Miller, who has scored 15 goals this season, and Chris Chantler will both miss the run-in through injury, so Stevenage will eye a real chance to secure a valuable win themselves.
They come into the game on the back of a stunning 6-0 triumph over Yeovil – a win that finally ended a seven-game run without a victory – and this clash is one of three home games they have out of the final four that remain.
That will give the men from Broadhall Way hope that they can overhaul the points deficit and sneak into the play-offs and, although they have one tough trip on the road to Sheffield United to contend with, Stevenage will fancy their chances – both in this game and in their remaining matches (Stevenage HT/FT – 9/4).
Carlisle edged the earlier game between these two 1-0 back in September and another tight match is predicted but we see Stevenage gaining revenge and claiming a narrow win, take 2-1 at 8/1 (correct score market) to keep their play-off hopes alive.
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