English League One
2012-09-29 - Carlisle United vs Crawley Town
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League One
Saturday 29 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Carlisle United
Carlisle United were beaten by Premier League Tottenham Hotspur during the week in the Capital One Cup, but now they return to League action with the hope that they have inspired new fans to come and watch them play. The side have been entertaining for the most part as they look to push up the table and get in amongst the leading teams.
The side heaped more misery on Coventry City last weekend and that pushed Carlisle up to 10th in the League One table as they now have 12 points on the season. The fans will be hoping they can improve their home record which currently reads 1-2-1, scoring 6 goals but conceding 7.
Carlisle's win at Coventry means they are now unbeaten in their last 4 League games, picking up 8 points from a possible 12 in that run. The side have failed to win their last 2 home games as they have only managed draws with Swindon and Crewe, although they have only lost 2 of their last 23 League games here.
Crawley Town
They were one of the most hated teams in non-League football a couple of years as Crawley Town had huge financial backing and that has helped continue their move up the English pyramid. It will be tough to get out of League One at the first attempt, but confidence is high after a solid start to the new season.
Crawley are actually 8th in the League One table as they have picked up 13 points in their opening League games to leave them in touch with the leading pack. The side have a 2-1-1 away record so far this season, scoring 4 goals but conceding 5.
Like their opponents Carlisle, Crawley also suffered a home defeat in the Capital One Cup to a Premier League side, although they were leading Swansea 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining. However, the result means Crawley have lost back to back games in all competitions and only have 1 win in their last 5 games. Crawley are unbeaten in their last 3 away games and have only lost 1 of their last 13 away from home in all competitions.
Head to Head
This will represent the first ever League meeting between the clubs, although they did meet in the Conference in the 2004/05 season.
Both Carlisle United and Crawley Town beat the other at home by the same 1-0 scoreline.
Prediction
I find this an intriguing match, but it is one that fell onto my shortlist for a game with potential for goals and I have ended up biting on it.
Carlisle United play attacking football at home and if you take away their 0-0 with Crewe last time out, the last 4 games here has seen at least 3 goals shared between Carlisle and their opponents.
My concern is the way Crawley will approach the game as their matches can get bogged down at times, but the added fatigue from all their effort in the Capital One Cup against Swansea on Tuesday may lead to concentration issues and defending not up to par.
Anyway, 3 of their 5 away games in all competitions this season have provided goals and the return of Sergio Torres does boost Crawley's attacking potential.
The layers aren't giving anything away at the moment, but the 1.90 being offered that we see at least 3 goals looks worth getting on.
The Pick :
Carlisle United 2-2 Crawley Town
