Salford City and Carlisle United lock horns this weekend in what promises to be a key contest in the battle for the League Two playoff places.

Neil Wood's side have gone five games without a win or a goal in all competitions, while the visitors are seeking to extend their unbeaten run of four games when they visit Moor Lane on Saturday.

Match preview

Salford will be hoping to use the disappointment of an FA Cup exit to spur them on in a tough test against fellow playoff-chasers Carlisle this weekend.

The League Two outfit were swept aside by Peterborough United on Wednesday night in their FA Cup first-round replay, courtesy of Ephron Mason-Clark's first-half strike and a brace from Jack Marriott.

Salford have now failed to score or win in their last five games in all competitions, however, they still remain in ninth position in League Two, only two points off the playoff places and one point behind their opponents on Saturday.

A tally of 19 strikes is the fewest of any side in the top half, though, and Wood's side welcome Carlisle to Moor Lane having only scored one goal in their last seven home fixtures in all competitions, with their only win in that time coming against Accrington Stanley on penalties in the EFL Trophy.

Salford beat Carlisle on their own patch last season 2-1, so they will aiming to repeat a similar scoreline here and end their barren run in front of goal.

Meanwhile, the visitors have enjoyed a better time of things than their next opponents, sitting in eighth place with seven wins and just three defeats from their 18 games.

Owen Moxon's last-gasp strike rescued a point for Carlisle in their last away game against Harrogate Town, and prior to that the Cumbrians beat Tranmere Rovers on their travels, meaning Paul Simpson's side are unbeaten in their previous two outings on the road.

Goals have not been hard to come by for United, with only Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and table-topping Leyton Orient scoring more goals in the division. In addition to this, the visitors have managed to keep 13 clean sheets at the other end.

A 0-0 draw with Walsall last time out has extended Carlisle's unbeaten run to four games in all competitions, and a win at Moor Lane this weekend could see the Cumbrians move into the playoff places if other results go their way.

Team News

Salford centre-back Richard Nartey made a welcome return from injury in the draw with Wimbledon - playing the first 45 minutes - but he did not feature in the FA Cup defeat against Peterborough.

Wood shuffled his pack against the Posh, opting for Ashley Eastham in defence rather than Nartey. Ryan Watson was restored to the midfield, as was Callum Hendry to the attack and Jack Jenkins and Marcus Dackers were among the substitutes, so there could be further rotation this weekend.

Manchester United loanee Ethan Galbraith should be among those to line up from the first whistle, while the hosts seem likely to stick with their three-man defensive setup here.

As for Carlisle, Kristian Dennis was limited to a substitute role in last Saturday's draw with Walsall due to a persistent calf problem so he could be on the bench once again.

Jon Mellish returned from suspension against the Saddlers, replacing Corey Whelan in defence, while Jack Stretton managed to recover from an ankle injury to make the bench last time out, so he could feature up front for the Cumbrians.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Eastham, Vassell, Leak; Bolton, Galbraith, Watt, Watson, Touray; Dackers, Hendry

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Holy; Back, Feeney, Huntington, Mellish, Armer; Guy, Moxon, Charters; Dennis, Gibson

We say: Salford City 0-2 Carlisle United

Salford have endured a torrid time in front of goal in recent weeks and we expect Carlisle to take full advantage of that on Saturday.

We think the Cumbrians will be too strong for the Ammies, and Salford's goal drought will continue.

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