Burton Albion can inflict a seventh successive loss upon Carlisle United when they welcome League One's basement side to the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The hosts battled past Bristol Rovers 2-1 at the weekend, while their cellar-dwelling visitors fought valiantly against Portsmouth but ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Match preview
© Reuters
Burton Albion will have fond memories from their last trip to Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium, where Ciaran Gilligan and Mark Helm propelled Martin Paterson's men into a two-goal lead before Pirates captain Antony Evans made things interesting on the hour mark.
A nail-biting final 30 minutes would be in store for the visitors, but Evans's effort proved to be nothing more than a consolation as the Brewers earned just their second victory in all competitions since the turn of the year, leaving Paterson understandably elated at the full-time whistle.
Keeping their heads above water for the time being, Burton Albion's beating of Bristol Rovers at the weekend sees the Brewers enter the midweek round of fixtures occupying 17th place in the standings, albeit with just a four-point advantage over Port Vale in the drop zone.
Tuesday's hosts are therefore far from out of the relegation woods, but defensive discipline has been a cornerstone of Burton's play over the past couple of weeks; Evans's strike was just the second goal that they have conceded in their last four games.
The Brewers have also shipped just two goals in their last five League One games at the Pirelli Stadium, although one of those came in a 1-0 loss to Lincoln City at the start of the month, which snapped their four-game unbeaten streak in front of their home crowd.
© Reuters
Still on a one-way street back down to League Two, Carlisle United could afford themselves a pat on the back for their efforts against league leaders Portsmouth on Saturday, as what was a mismatch on paper turned into a much more close-run affair than initially anticipated.
However, a 62nd-minute strike from Paddy Lane got Pompey over the line as Carlisle were condemned to a sixth consecutive defeat in League One, and Simpson understandably cut an upbeat figure after the contest, even if his side's predicament remains as dire as ever.
With just 20 points on the board from 31 third-tier fixtures in 2023-24 so far, the visitors to the Pirelli Stadium remain rooted to the foot of the standings, and an 11-point gap separates them from Charlton Athletic in 20th position, suggesting that survival is nigh-on impossible barring a footballing miracle.
The Cumbrians have often managed to give their fans something to cheer during their League One plight, but the loss to Portsmouth saw Carlisle fail to score for the first time in 2024, and they arrive on Burton's soil having only accrued one point from their last nine away games in the division.
Simpson's men are still awaiting their first League One away clean sheet of the new season too, but their meeting with Burton Albion at Brunton Park in October ended in a 2-1 victory, their first success over the Brewers at the third attempt.
Team News
During Burton's bad-tempered affair with Lincoln City, Deji Oshilaja was booked for the 10th time in the League One campaign and incurred a two-game suspension, the second of which he will serve on Tuesday evening.
The Brewers were also forced to make do without Jasper Moon for the trip to the Memorial Stadium due to the injury he picked up against Lincoln, allowing Toto Nsiala to make his debut for the club against Bristol Rovers, while Tom Hamer started on the right for the first time since November.
Sam Hughes and Jonathan Leko remain in the infirmary, though, while Gilligan will no doubt cover for the banned Oshilaja once again in the centre of the park.
As far as Carlisle are concerned, Sunderland loanee Jack Diamond was passed fit to start the loss to Portsmouth after coming off injured against Leyton Orient the weekend before, although he only lasted 56 minutes at Brunton Park.
Whether the 24-year-old can recover from that knock in time for Tuesday remains to be seen, but should Simpson be forced into an attacking switch, Daniel Butterworth and Sean Maguire will battle it out for the right to return to the XI.
Joshua Kayode (calf) and Georgie Kelly (knee) are both in the treatment room for the visitors, who should not deviate too much from the side that gave Portsmouth a good run for their money.
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Hamer, Nsiala, Sweeney, Brayford, Bola; Powell, Gilligan; Helm; Hudlin, Bennett
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Back, Lavelle, Barclay, Robinson; Gibson, Mellish, Vela, McCalmont, Butterworth; Armstrong
We say: Burton Albion 1-0 Carlisle United
Carlisle may have already had Burton's number this season, but the Cumbrians have only been on a downward trajectory since, and Burton have prided themselves on diligent defensive displays at the Pirelli Stadium.
With weekend fatigue also setting in, a classic should not be in store, but a solitary goal - likely to come the way of the hosts - could prove the difference once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
