Carlisle vs Stevenage Prediction: Low-scoring encounter expected

Carlisle United are counting down the days til the summer, when they can put this miserable season behind them. However, League One’s basement boys still have eight games to play, starting at home as they take on play-off contenders Stevenage on Saturday afternoon (15:00).

Paul Simpson’s men managed to defeat Stockport County on penalties in the League Two play-off final last term, but this has been a rough season, and they’ve won just five league games. They aren’t mathematically down yet, but its a case of when, rather than if, they will return to the fourth tier. Below you can find my Carlisle vs Stevenage prediction for this weekend. 

Team News

Callum Guy is making good progress from his ACL injury and should be able to return for the start of the 2024/25. Manager Simpson has come under some criticism of late but has promised to stick by his guns. One of the big decisions to cause debate in recent weeks has been to put top scorer Jordan Gibson on the bench over the last five games. He could return to the XI as the Cumbrians search for goals. 

Stevenage have lacked goals of late and Steve Evans may shake things up in order to spark a response. Vadaine Oliver and Jamie Reid started up front in the defeat to Leyton Orient while Elliot List could come into the team having only returned to the squad a couple of weeks ago.

Stevenage to win @ 7/10

United have lost 12 of their last 13 games and relegation from League One is inevitable. They have only scored 33 in their 38 league games, and their defence is shocking, as they have conceded 67 so far this term. They deserve some credit for sticking with the manager that got them promoted last May, but it hasn’t worked for them at all this year. 

The season has been shocking, but as we’ve just mentioned, their recent form is really bad. Meanwhile, Stevenage haven’t been as good as they were earlier in the season of late, but they have shown themselves to be a top team under Evans. Just two goals across their last five games is a worry, but Carlisle are so poor that they should be able to find a win. 

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6

Carlisle have actually scored more goals than Stevenage in recent weeks. The Cumbrians have lost their last four, but they’ve scored five goals in that time. However, they failed to score last time out against Shrewsbury, while Stevenage also failed to score in their last outing, a 1-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient. 

Evans will need to solve his attacking issues sharpish, but this game is unlikely to feature loads of goals. They’ve scored just three in their last seven, and failed to score in three of their last four. 

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.